Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666)
Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) is a home standby generator from Briggs & Stratton, rated 12,000 running watts on propane and 10,800 W on natural gas, measured at 70 dBA, with 120/240V output.
| Type | home-standby |
|---|---|
| Fuel | natural-gas, propane |
| Running watts (gas / LP for standby) | 12000 W |
|---|---|
| Running watts (propane) | 12000 W |
| Running watts (natural gas) | 10800 W |
| Noise level | 70 dBA |
|---|---|
| NG use at half load | 117 ft³/h |
| Propane use at half load | 1.7 gal/h |
| Output voltage | 120/240V |
|---|---|
| Automatic transfer switch included | No |
| Main-line circuit breaker | 60 A |
| Start type | automatic |
|---|
| Engine | Briggs & Stratton Vanguard M38 |
|---|---|
| Engine displacement | 623 cc |
| Weight | 361 lb |
|---|
| Warranty | 6 yr |
|---|
What the numbers mean
- At 12,000 running watts on its best fuel, this unit covers most household circuits through an appropriately sized transfer switch; central air conditioning typically needs load management or a soft starter.
- Runs on natural gas, propane — expect lower output on propane (roughly 10%) and natural gas (roughly 20%) than on gasoline; the spec table shows the published per-fuel ratings.
- Estimated fuel cost for 24 h at ~50% load: about $42 on natural gas at national average prices (assumptions).
- Permanently installed unit: sizing, gas-line capacity, placement clearances, and the transfer switch are a job for licensed installers under local permits.
Compare the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Champion aXis 14kW with 200A ATS (100837)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Cummins QuietConnect RS13A 13kW
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Cummins QuietConnect RS17A 17kW
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Generac Guardian 10kW (7171)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Generac Guardian 14kW (7224)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Generac Guardian 18kW (7226)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Kohler 10RESV 10kW
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) vs Kohler 12RESV 12kW
Similar generators
- Kohler 12RESV 12kW ( 12,000 W running)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect DX 13kW (040740) ( 13,000 W running)
- Cummins QuietConnect RS13A 13kW ( 13,000 W running)
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 10kW with 200A ATS (040684) ( 10,000 W running)
- Champion aXis 14kW with 200A ATS (100837) ( 14,000 W running)
- Generac Guardian 10kW (7171) ( 10,000 W running)
Frequently asked questions
What can the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) run during an outage?
With 12,000 running watts on its best fuel, the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) covers most household circuits through an appropriately sized transfer switch; central air conditioning typically needs load management or a soft starter. Add up your actual loads with a sizing worksheet — the bands here are rough guidance, not a load calculation.
What does the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) cost to run for a day?
Roughly $42 for 24 hours of continuous operation at about 50% load on natural gas, at national average fuel prices. The assumptions behind this estimate are documented on the methodology page; your fuel price and load change the figure.
Does the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 12kW (040666) start automatically?
Yes — home standby generators monitor utility power and start themselves when it fails; pairing it with an appropriately sized automatic transfer switch (sold separately for some configurations) completes the automatic changeover.
Sources
- www.lowes.com (retrieved 2026-07-23)
- apelectric.com (retrieved 2026-07-24)