For a shop or small office in Northeast India, a 2–3.5 kVA petrol generator with AVR is the right backup power choice — it handles lighting, fans, one or two computers, a printer and a POS machine without overload. The Alpha A2200 petrol generator (2.2 kVA) is the most commonly bought unit for this use case at our Guwahati counter. The counter team at Multi Trade Combines helps you match load to kVA — call or WhatsApp for a free sizing check.
The most common mistake is buying too small a generator for the actual load. Before buying, add up your running loads:
| Load item | Typical wattage |
|---|---|
| LED tube light (each) | 8–15W |
| Ceiling fan | 60–80W |
| Desktop computer | 150–300W |
| Laptop (on charger) | 45–65W |
| POS/billing machine | 40–80W |
| Inkjet printer (standby) | 5–30W; up to 100W printing |
| Small air cooler | 150–200W |
| 1-ton window AC (NOT inverter) | 1,100–1,400W — needs 2.5–3.5 kVA generator alone |
| WiFi router | 10–20W |
Add up your simultaneous loads, multiply by 1.25 for safety margin — that is your required generator kVA.
For the full generators catalogue, see our site. For a guide to sizing and fuel types, see our generator choosing guide.
Shops and offices connect sensitive electronics — computers, billing systems, modems — to the generator. An AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) built into the generator keeps output voltage stable as loads switch on and off. Without AVR:
Every generator at our counter includes AVR. Do not buy a generator for office or shop use without AVR, regardless of price.
A 2 kVA petrol generator is sufficient for a small shop running: 4–6 tube lights or LED bulbs (200W total), 1 ceiling fan (75W), 1 desktop computer or laptop (150–300W), and a POS/billing machine (50W). Total running load approximately 600–650W. A 2 kVA (2,000W) machine gives adequate headroom. If you add an air cooler or small AC inverter unit, step up to a 3.5–5 kVA generator.
A generator with AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) is safe for computers and POS machines — it keeps output voltage within ±5–10% of 230V. Without AVR, voltage spikes during load changes can damage sensitive electronics. All generators recommended at our counter include AVR. For very sensitive equipment (servers, medical devices, some billing systems), pair the generator with a UPS for additional protection against brief voltage irregularities during generator start-up.
The Alpha A2200 has a 15-litre fuel tank. At 50% load (typical shop backup use), fuel consumption is approximately 0.8–1 litre per hour. This gives roughly 12–15 hours of runtime on one tank — enough for a 2–3 day stretch of typical Assam power cuts. At full load, consumption rises to 1.5 litres per hour, reducing runtime to approximately 10 hours.