In short. A 10 kVA generator delivers 8 kW at 0.8 power factor: about 13.9 A per phase on a three-phase 415 V set, or about 43.5 A on a single-phase 230 V set. In Hyderabad it typically runs a villa with two or three 1.5-ton ACs and a 3 HP borewell, a clinic or diagnostic room, a small restaurant or an office of around fifteen people. Reddy Generators supplies new 10 kVA sets through supply tie-ups with all major makes (all CPCB IV+), offers rental and services all makes; our used and refurbished range starts at 15 kVA, so at 10 kVA the route is a new set or a rental. The price is given on request. Below: whether three ACs and the borewell can share the set, how the load splits across phases, and whether petrol would do.
Who this page is for: Villa and independent-house owners with three-phase supply, doctors setting up a clinic or diagnostic room, small restaurant and office owners in Hyderabad who need to know what a 10 kVA diesel generator will carry, how to split their loads across three phases, what it burns per hour, and what decides its price.
Key facts
- Output: 10 kVA = 8.0 kW at 0.8 power factor. Plan summer running load at about 6.4–6.8 kW (80–85 %).
- Full-load current: about 13.9 A per phase at 415 V three-phase (10 × 1.391); about 43.5 A at 230 V single-phase (10 × 4.348).
- Per phase on a three-phase set: 3.33 kVA, about 2.67 kW, on each phase. Single-phase loads must be spread.
- Diesel use (approximate): about 1.2–1.35 L/h at 50 % load (4 kW) and 1.75–1.9 L/h at 75 % load (6 kW), on a basis of 0.29–0.33 L per kWh. The make’s data sheet decides.
- Noise: CPCB IV+ acoustic canopy, limit 75 dB(A) at 1 m.
- Breaker and cable (typical): three-phase, a 20 A four-pole MCB with 4 sq mm four-core copper on a short run; single-phase, a 50–63 A double-pole MCB with 10 sq mm copper. Confirm on our breaker and cable chart.
- Largest DOL motor (rule of thumb): 2 HP comfortably, 3 HP started on a lightly loaded set.
- Typical uses: villas and three-phase houses, clinics and diagnostic rooms, small restaurants and cafes, offices, the pumps and lights of an 8–10 flat building without a lift.
Get price
Generator prices change every day, so we do not print them on the website. Tell us whether you want to buy new or rent a 10 kVA set, single or three phase, and where the site is. We will send the price.
- New set: the price excludes GST, transport and installation.
- Rental: the rate covers the generator only. Transport is charged at actuals and is in the customer’s scope. Cable and an operator are extra charges if you need them.
- Used or refurbished: our used and refurbished range starts at 15 kVA, so at this size the choice is a new set or a rental set.
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What a 10 kVA generator can run
Hyderabad load sets on a three-phase 10 kVA set. AC figures assume a summer afternoon: about 1.4 kW for a 1.5-ton inverter AC, 1.7 kW fixed-speed, 2.2 kW for a 2-ton fixed-speed unit.
| Load set | Running load (approx.) | Hardest start and allowance | Fits 10 kVA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa: three 1.5-ton inverter ACs (one per phase), fridge, lights and fans, TV, router, CCTV | about 5.8 kW (73 %) | Low; inverter ACs soft-start | Yes |
| Villa: two 1.5-ton ACs, house loads, 3 HP three-phase borewell running | about 6.9 kW (86 %) | 3 HP DOL pump: about 17–20 kVA for under a second | Only just: above the 80–85 % summer limit, so run the pump with one AC on (see the case below) |
| Clinic, two consulting rooms: two 1.5-ton inverter ACs, PCs and printer, vaccine fridge, steriliser used in turns | about 5.3 kW (66 %) | Fridge compressor | Yes |
| Diagnostic room: ultrasound, ECG, small analysers, two ACs, UPS | about 4.5 kW (56 %) | AC compressor; UPS recharge | Yes; X-ray, CT and MRI need their own check |
| Small restaurant, 20–30 covers, cooking on gas: kitchen exhaust, fresh-air fan, two freezers, fridge, lights, billing, mixer, one 2-ton AC | about 6.2 kW (77 %) | Freezer compressors and the 1 HP exhaust fan | Yes; electric tandoor or induction cooking does not fit |
| Office, about 15 people: laptops, network rack, printer, lights, two 2-ton ACs | about 6.5 kW (81 %) | 2-ton fixed-speed AC | Yes with inverter ACs; for more ACs, price 15 kVA |
| 8–10 flat building without lift: 3 HP borewell, 2 HP sump pump, common lights | about 5.3 kW (66 %) | 3 HP pump; the two pumps must not start together | Yes, with pumps interlocked |
| Building with a passenger lift | lift plus pumps | Lift start | Usually no; see our 20 kVA page |
How many ACs can a 10 kVA generator run?
Three 1.5-ton ACs, one on each phase, with lights, fans, a fridge and the TV: about 5.8 kW with inverter ACs and about 6.7 kW with fixed-speed units, the latter at the top of the summer planning limit. A fourth AC, or the 3 HP borewell running at the same time as all three, takes the set past its rating.
AC type matters more than buyers expect: on a three-phase set each AC sits on one phase, which can give only 3.33 kVA. A fixed-speed 1.5-ton AC starting on a phase already carrying 2 kW asks for 5–8 kVA from that phase for a moment, which dips the voltage on everything else on it. Inverter ACs avoid the problem. With fixed-speed ACs, stagger them and keep the borewell start away from them.
The largest motor it can start: the 3 HP borewell
A three-phase 3 HP submersible draws about 2.8 kW running (2.24 kW output at roughly 80 % efficiency), about 3.4 kVA at a power factor near 0.82. Started direct-on-line it asks for five to six times that, about 17–20 kVA for under a second: close to twice the set’s rating. A 10 kVA set normally starts it if the pump goes first or little else is running, with a visible dip in the lights. Hence 3 HP as the upper limit and 2 HP as comfortable; a 5 HP pump needs a star-delta or soft starter, or a 20 kVA set for a direct-on-line start.
Petrol or diesel at 10 kVA?
Petrol sets suit occasional, portable use at small ratings. For standby at a house, clinic or restaurant, often running for hours with ACs on, diesel is the right engine at 10 kVA.
| Point | Petrol set | Diesel set (10 kVA standby) |
|---|---|---|
| Usual size range | Mostly small, portable ratings; 10 kVA petrol sets are uncommon | 10 kVA is a standard diesel rating |
| Engine speed and cooling | Typically 3,000 rpm, air-cooled | Typically 1,500 rpm, water-cooled; suits long summer running |
| Fuel per kWh | Noticeably higher | About 0.28–0.33 L per kWh at useful load |
| Fuel storage at home or in a shop | Petrol is far more volatile and hazardous to store | Diesel is safer to store in the base tank |
| Auto-start with AMF | Rarely practical | Standard option |
Diesel consumption per hour
Basis: roughly 0.28–0.33 L per kWh between half and full load for sets up to 30 kVA, and worse at light load. The make’s data sheet decides. An older or poorly maintained 10 kVA set can burn 2–2.5 L/h at the same 6 kW, which is one reason a fuel log is worth keeping.
| Load on a 10 kVA set | Electrical load | Basis (L per kWh, approx.) | Diesel per hour (approx.) | Hours per 50 L of usable fuel (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 % | 2 kW | 0.36–0.45 | 0.7–0.9 L/h | about 55–70 h |
| 50 % | 4 kW | 0.31–0.33 | 1.2–1.35 L/h | about 37–42 h |
| 75 % | 6 kW | 0.29–0.32 | 1.75–1.9 L/h | about 26–29 h |
| 100 % | 8 kW | 0.28–0.31 | 2.25–2.5 L/h | about 20–22 h |
Base tanks vary by make; 50 litres usable is an illustration only.
Monthly fuel worksheet
| Running pattern | Load | Litres per hour | Hours per month | Litres per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: villa, three inverter ACs and house loads in summer | 5.8 kW (73 %) | about 1.74 L/h | 30 h | about 52 L |
| Example: restaurant, dinner-service outages | 6.2 kW (77 %) | about 1.86 L/h | 45 h | about 84 L |
| Your pattern | ||||
| Weekly on-load test run | about 1 h | |||
| Total litres per month |
Arithmetic: 5.8 kW × 0.30 L/kWh = 1.74 L/h, × 30 h = 52 L. 6.2 kW × 0.30 = 1.86 L/h, × 45 h = about 84 L. Multiply the litres by the diesel rate on the day.
Single phase or three phase at 10 kVA
Both versions are made; the choice decides how much of the 8 kW your loads can use.
| Single-phase 10 kVA | Three-phase 10 kVA | |
|---|---|---|
| Current | about 43.5 A at 230 V | about 13.9 A per phase at 415 V |
| Available to one single-phase circuit | The full 10 kVA | Only 3.33 kVA (one phase) |
| Three-phase borewell or motor | Cannot run it | Yes, up to about 3 HP DOL |
| Fits | A single-phase house, shop or clinic with all-single-phase loads | A three-phase villa, clinic or restaurant with a three-phase motor and loads that can be spread |
| Main risk | Heavier cable and breaker for 43.5 A | Phase imbalance when ACs end up on the same phase |
Imbalance limit: most makes allow roughly 10–20 % between phases; the data sheet decides, and we aim for 10 % or less. Many Hyderabad villas have their ACs bunched on one or two phases, so the AC circuits are checked and moved before a three-phase set goes in. Feeding a single-phase building from one phase of a three-phase set uses only a third of the rating, and phases must never be joined to get more. All changeover connections are made by a competent licensed electrician, with interlocking so the set can never back-feed the DISCOM line.
Illustrative case: a villa with three ACs and a 3 HP borewell
Illustrative case. A gated-community villa on Hyderabad’s western side has three-phase supply, three 1.5-ton inverter ACs in the bedrooms, a 3 HP three-phase DOL borewell, a fridge, lights and fans on two floors, a TV, router and CCTV. The owner wants all three bedroom ACs on the generator at night. First, the single-phase loads are placed on phases:
| Phase | Loads | Running (approx.) | Share of the 2.67 kW per-phase capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | AC 1 (1.4 kW), ground-floor lights and fans (0.4 kW), fridge (0.2 kW) | 2.0 kW | 75 % |
| Y | AC 2 (1.4 kW), first-floor lights and fans (0.4 kW), TV, router, CCTV (0.3 kW) | 2.1 kW | 79 % |
| B | AC 3 (1.4 kW), sockets and kitchen small loads (0.3 kW) | 1.7 kW | 64 % |
| Total single-phase load | 5.8 kW | 73 % of 8 kW | |
Balance check: the average phase load is 5.8 ÷ 3 = 1.93 kW. The heaviest phase (Y, 2.1 kW) is (2.1 − 1.93) ÷ 1.93 = about 9 % above the average, inside a 10 % target.
The borewell’s 2.8 kW adds about 0.93 kW to each phase. With all three ACs on, the phases would carry about 2.93, 3.03 and 2.63 kW: two above their 2.67 kW share, and 8.6 kW in total against the set’s 8 kW. So a timer or interlock lets the pump run only in the morning, with at most one AC on: 2.8 + 1.4 + 0.8 (lights and fans) + 0.2 + 0.3 = 5.5 kW, or 69 %, with the pump starting first. Night load stays at 73 %. A 10 kVA three-phase set fits; a 15 kVA set would only be needed if the owner wanted the pump and three ACs together.
A note for clinics and diagnostic rooms
Ultrasound, ECG, small analysers and computers run well on a 10 kVA set behind a UPS. X-ray units draw a large current for a fraction of a second per exposure, and their manuals state the generator capacity they need; send us that page before deciding the size. Vaccine fridges belong on the generator, ideally with auto-start for night cover.
How the price of a 10 kVA set is worked out
The general drivers and how to compare quotations are in our diesel generator price guide. At 10 kVA, these move the figure.
- Single phase or three phase. Different alternator, panel and cable size; choose by your supply and motors.
- Make and engine type. Engines at this rating differ in cylinder count, displacement and design life; read the engine model, not just the brand.
- Silent canopy. Standard under CPCB IV+, so every quote includes it; construction and finish vary.
- Manual or auto-start. Manual start with a changeover switch, or auto-start with an AMF panel and interlocked contactors. Clinics and villas that are often empty usually choose auto-start.
- Battery and controller. Battery size and the controller’s protection, fault log and remote alerts.
- Fuel tank. The base tank size sets refuelling frequency; a restaurant running daily may want more.
- Warranty. Period and hour limits differ by make.
- New or rent. At 10 kVA it is new or rental; used sets start at 15 kVA.
At 10 kVA the biggest difference between two offers is usually what surrounds the set: whether the AMF panel, interlocked changeover, cable run to a boundary-wall position and earthing are included or quoted separately.
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Buy new or rent a 10 kVA set
| Your situation | Running hours per month (approx.) | How long you need it | Usual route | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villa or three-phase house, regular outages | 15–50 | Years | Buy new, ideally with auto-start | Long standby life, ACs and pump to protect |
| Clinic or diagnostic room | 15–60 | Years | Buy new with AMF | Fridges and patients cannot wait for someone to start the set |
| Restaurant or cafe | 30–90 | Length of the lease | Buy new | Daily running; service planned by hours |
| Interior fit-out or small construction site | 150–250 | Weeks to months | Rent | Temporary, heavy hours, nothing to dispose of afterwards |
| Wedding, event or shoot | Under 30 in total | Days | Rent | Ask early; availability for your dates is confirmed when you call |
| Load near the limit, or a used set wanted | Any | Years | Price a new 10 kVA against a used 15 kVA | Our used range starts at 15 kVA; see used and refurbished generators and used generator inspection |
Installation and site needs in Hyderabad
- Footprint: a silent 10 kVA set is roughly 1.8–2.2 m long, 0.9–1.0 m wide and 1.2–1.4 m high, weighing roughly 600–900 kg. The make decides.
- Clearance: about 1 m at the service doors and 1–1.5 m at the radiator discharge; in villa setbacks, a parked car must not block the doors.
- Plinth: level concrete, slightly larger than the base frame, raised 150–300 mm above monsoon water in low-lying lanes and basements.
- Exhaust: away from bedroom windows, AC outdoor units and the neighbour’s house; in a restaurant, away from the fresh-air intake. The CPCB stack guideline gives the building height plus 0.2 × √10 = about 0.63 m; gated communities often ask for the pipe to be taken up.
- Earthing: separate neutral and body earth electrodes; see the DG set earthing guide.
- Cable and breaker: villas often place the set at the plot boundary, 20–40 m from the DB; on a long run the cable is sized for voltage drop, not just current. See the full-load current chart.
- Summer heat: with afternoons above 40 °C in April and May, keep running load within about 80–85 % and keep the radiator and canopy louvres clear of dust.
Get-price request sheet for a 10 kVA set
Copy this into WhatsApp or print it. With these answers we can usually quote without a site visit, and tell you at once if 10 kVA is the wrong size.
| Item | Options or example | Your answer |
|---|---|---|
| Buy new or rent | New / Rent (used starts at 15 kVA) | |
| Supply at the premises | Single-phase / Three-phase (check the meter or DB) | |
| Start and changeover | Manual start, manual switch / Auto-start with AMF panel | |
| Premises type | Villa / clinic / diagnostic room / restaurant / office / building common loads | |
| ACs: number, tonnage, inverter or fixed speed | e.g. 3 × 1.5-ton, inverter | |
| Largest motor: HP, single or three phase, starter | e.g. 3 HP borewell, three-phase, DOL | |
| Medical, imaging or lab equipment | Model and the generator requirement from its manual | |
| Hours of outage per month (summer) | e.g. 30–40 h | |
| Where the set will stand | Ground / setback / terrace; photo attached | |
| Cable run from set to main DB | Approximate metres | |
| Site location | Area in Hyderabad, or town and district | |
| Delivery date, and rental duration if renting | Date; days, weeks or months |
Common mistakes
- Assuming a three-phase 10 kVA set gives 10 kVA to a single-phase AC circuit; each phase gives only 3.33 kVA.
- Leaving all the ACs on one phase because that is how the house was wired for the DISCOM meter, which overloads one phase while the set shows part load.
- Starting the 3 HP borewell while all three ACs are running, which pushes the set past 8 kW and dips the voltage hard.
- Buying a petrol set for daily standby duty, or putting an X-ray unit on the set without checking its generator requirement.
What to send us
For a price, tell us whether you want to buy new or rent (used sets start at 15 kVA), single-phase or three-phase supply, and manual start or auto-start with an AMF panel. Add the site location in or outside Hyderabad, your load list with the number and type of ACs and the borewell HP (or photographs of the distribution board and nameplates), the date you need the set, and for a rental, how long you need it. The request sheet above covers all of this. Use the generator sales enquiry, or WhatsApp the details and photographs.
Questions buyers ask about 10 kVA generators
What is the price of a 10 kVA generator in Hyderabad?
There is no fixed figure: it depends on single or three phase, the make and engine, manual or auto-start, controller, tank and warranty, and prices move with the market. A new-set price excludes GST, transport and installation, which are quoted separately. Send the request sheet on this page, or your load list and site location, on WhatsApp and we reply with an itemised quotation.
How much diesel does a 10 kVA generator use per hour?
Approximately 1.2–1.35 litres per hour at half load (4 kW), 1.75–1.9 litres per hour at three-quarter load (6 kW) and 2.25–2.5 litres per hour at full load (8 kW), based on 0.28–0.33 litres per kWh. The make’s data sheet gives the exact figure.
How many ACs can a 10 kVA generator run?
Three 1.5-ton ACs, one on each phase of a three-phase set, with lights, fans and a fridge. Inverter ACs are strongly preferred, because on a three-phase set each AC can draw only on its own phase’s 3.33 kVA when it starts. Do not run the 3 HP borewell with all three ACs.
How many amps is a 10 kVA generator?
About 13.9 A per phase at 415 V three-phase (10,000 ÷ (1.732 × 415)), or about 43.5 A at 230 V single-phase (10,000 ÷ 230).
Should I buy a single-phase or three-phase 10 kVA generator?
Match your supply. If the premises is single-phase with only single-phase loads, a single-phase set gives the full 10 kVA to any circuit. If you have a three-phase borewell or motor, or three-phase supply with loads that can be spread, choose three-phase and have the ACs balanced across the phases.
Is a petrol or diesel generator better for 10 kVA?
Diesel, for standby at a house, clinic or restaurant. A 1,500 rpm water-cooled diesel set uses less fuel per kWh, runs longer between overhauls, stores its fuel more safely and takes auto-start easily. Petrol sets suit small, occasional, portable use.
Is a second-hand 10 kVA generator available?
Not from us: our used and refurbished range starts at 15 kVA. Every used set is load-bank tested, and refurbished sets carry a six-month warranty. At 10 kVA, buy new or rent; if your load is near the limit, compare a used 15 kVA set.
Can I rent a 10 kVA generator in Hyderabad?
Yes, ask with your dates, site and load. The availability of a set of this size for your dates is confirmed when you ask. The rental rate covers the generator only; transport is at actuals and in your scope, and cable and an operator are extra if you need them.
Related pages
- Generators under 15 kVA: selection for small loads
- 7.5 kVA generator in Hyderabad
- 15 kVA generator in Hyderabad
- Diesel generator price guide
- Generator kVA and kW sizing calculator
- DG breaker, changeover and cable size chart
- Generator on rent in Hyderabad and Secunderabad
- Generators for healthcare and hospitals
Technical content reviewed by D. Srinivas Reddy, Managing Partner and service engineer. Last updated 5 November 2026.