Compare 8KW Through 20KW Standby Generators

The Largest Line of Air-Cooled Automatic Standby Generators: 8-20 kW

Guardian 14 kW automatic standby generator Guardian 20 kW automatic standby generator
All Guardian generators are UL Listed. 
8 kW 10 kW 14 kW
  • 8,000 Watts
  • True Power™ electricity
  • 8 Circuits of Protection
  • Ultra Quiet
  • Generac OHVI® Industrial Engine
  • Galvanized steel / tough paint
  • UL Listed
  • 10,000 Watts
  • True Power™ electricity
  • 10 Circuits of Protection
  • Ultra Quiet
  • Generac OHVI® Industrial Engine
  • Galvanized steel / tough paint
  • UL Listed
  • 14,000 Watts
  • True Power™ electricity
  • 14 Circuits of Protection
  • Ultra Quiet
  • Generac OHVI® Industrial Engine
  • Galvanized steel / tough paint
  • UL Listed
17 kW 20 kW
  • 17,000 Watts
  • True Power™ electricity
  • 16 Circuits of Protection
  • Whisper-Test™ – quietest on the market
  • Generac OHVI® Industrial Engine
  • Galvanized steel / tough paint
    (optional aluminum enclosure available)
  • UL Listed
  • 20,000 Watts for whole house protection
  • True Power™ electricity
  • PowerManger™ LTS whole house transfer switch included
  • Whisper-Test™ – quietest on the market
  • Generac OHVI® Industrial Engine
  • Aluminum, all-weather enclosure / tough paint
  • UL Listed


Model Number 5501 5502 5503 5504 / 5505 5506
Rated Power (LP / NG) 8/7 kW 10/9 kW 14/13 kW 17/16 kW 20/18 kW
Rated Amps @ 60 Hz
240 V, 1Ø 33.3/29.5 41.6/37.5 58.3/54.2 70.8/66.6 83.3/75
Surge Watts - 240V, 1 Ø 12,690 15,120 24,500 29,825 35,470
Surge Amps 52 63 102 124 147
Engine (Generac OHVI) 410 cc /
Single		 530cc /
V-Twin		 992cc /
V-Twin		 992cc /
V-Twin		 999cc /
V-Twin
Alternator RPM 3600 3600 3600 3600 3600
Enclosure Steel Steel Steel Steel / Aluminum Aluminum
Whisper Test No No No Yes Yes
Sound Level (dBA @ exercise) 62 63 66 60 60
(dBA @ normal operation) 62 63 66 66 66
Dimensions (L” x W” x H”) 48×25x29 48×25x29 48×25x29 48×25x29 48×24x28
Compatible Transfer Switches 100 Amp / 8 circuit 100 Amp / 10 circuit 100 Amp / 14 circuit 100 Amp / 16 circuit 200 Amp Load Shedding / SE
Unit Weight (lbs.) 340 387 439 455 / 421 451
Full Spec Sheet Spec Sheet Spec Sheet Spec Sheet Spec Sheet Spec Sheet

*Check your air conditioner’s starting requirements. Starting requirements for older and/or less efficient equipment may exceed recommended generator capability. Additionally, for any electrical equipment or appliances, always check the manufacturer’s power requirements. This will help to ensure standby power accommodations for items that cycle during operation.