what does peak watts mean on a generator

 the peak watt is the maximum power of the  generator,

 normally a generator has two power rating.

 The starting watt and the running watt,

 The starting watt is usually more than the running watts , reason because a generator like any other electric appliance need much more power to kick start .

 The running watt is the power on which the generator runs after starting, it is usually less than the starting watt.

Most generator are rated with the running watt, meaning if you see a generator of 4000 watt, this is the running watt, its starting watt  can be something around  5000 watts or more.

  The running watt is of more importance than the peak or starting watts, because it is what is required  by electric devices.

 This does not mean that  peak watts is of no importance,  the peak watts tell you that a device can be run by a generator even if it is of higher rating provided that it is starting watts is not more than the peak watt of the generator.

 For example , duramax 3850 watt, a portable generator has a running watt of 3850 and a starting watt of 4850, another example is  Champion  3800 watt generator, it  has a starting watt of 4750 and a running watt of 3800.