Rust Electricity Calculator
Calculate power requirements for your Rust base. Browse all electrical components, plan your circuit, and find common templates to get started.
Component Database
| Component | Category | Power In | Power Out | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Panel | Power Source | - | +20 rW | Generates 0-20 rW based on sun position | |
| Large Solar Panel | Power Source | - | +20 rW | Generates 0-20 rW, larger panel | |
| Small Generator | Power Source | - | +40 rW | Burns low grade fuel for power (consumes 0.025/s) | |
| Wind Turbine | Power Source | - | +150 rW | 0-150 rW. Ground ~50rW, 2 floors ~90rW, 4+ floors ~130-150rW. Needs clear sky above | |
| Test Generator | Power Source | - | +100 rW | Infinite power source (admin only) | |
| Root Combiner | Power Source | - | - | Merges 2 power sources into 1 output. No power loss. Essential for multi-source setups | |
| Small Battery | Storage | -10 rW | +10 rW | 150 rWm capacity. Max 10rW in/out. Lasts 12min at full draw. 80% efficiency | |
| Small Rechargeable Battery | Storage | -10 rW | +10 rW | 150 rWm capacity. Craftable version of Small Battery. 80% efficiency | |
| Medium Battery | Storage | - | +50 rW | 9000 rWm capacity. Max 50rW out. Lasts 144min (2.4h) at full draw. 80% efficiency | |
| Large Battery | Storage | - | +100 rW | 24000 rWm capacity. Max 100rW out. Lasts 192min (3.2h) at full draw. 80% efficiency | |
| Electrical Branch | Logic | -2 rW | +2 rW | Splits power into branch output + passthrough | |
| Blocker | Logic | -1 rW | - | Blocks passthrough when powered | |
| AND Switch | Logic | -1 rW | - | Outputs when all inputs have power | |
| OR Switch | Logic | -1 rW | - | Outputs when any input has power | |
| XOR Switch | Logic | -1 rW | - | Outputs when exactly one input has power | |
| Timer | Logic | -1 rW | - | Toggles output on/off with configurable duration | |
| Counter | Logic | -1 rW | - | Counts inputs, outputs at target count | |
| Memory Cell | Logic | -1 rW | - | Set/Reset/Toggle power memory | |
| Smart Switch | Logic | -1 rW | - | Toggleable via Rust+ app | |
| Smart Alarm | Logic | -1 rW | - | Sends Rust+ notification when powered | |
| RAND Switch | Logic | -1 rW | - | Random on/off output | |
| RF Receiver | Logic | - | +1 rW | Outputs power when receiving RF signal | |
| RF Transmitter | Logic | -1 rW | - | Broadcasts RF signal when powered | |
| HBHF Sensor | Logic | -1 rW | - | Detects nearby players | |
| Pressure Pad | Logic | - | +1 rW | Generates power when stepped on | |
| Ceiling Light | Light | -2 rW | - | Standard room light | |
| Simple Light | Light | -1 rW | - | Basic wall-mounted light | |
| Siren Light | Light | -1 rW | - | Flashing alert light | |
| Flasher Light | Light | -1 rW | - | Flashing light | |
| Search Light | Light | -10 rW | - | Large searchlight, auto-tracks | |
| Deluxe Christmas Light | Light | -5 rW | - | Decorative christmas lights | |
| Auto Turret | Defense | -10 rW | - | Automated defense turret | |
| Tesla Coil | Defense | -35 rW | - | Electrocutes nearby players, 35 rW | |
| SAM Site | Defense | -25 rW | - | Anti-aircraft missile defense | |
| Door Controller | Utility | -1 rW | - | Remotely opens/closes a door | |
| Sprinkler | Utility | -5 rW | - | Waters nearby planters | |
| Electric Heater | Utility | -3 rW | - | Provides comfort, reduces cold | |
| Elevator | Utility | -5 rW | - | Per-floor power requirement | |
| CCTV Camera | Utility | -5 rW | - | Remote viewable camera feed | |
| Computer Station | Utility | - | - | View cameras, no power needed | |
| Telephone | Utility | -1 rW | - | Communication device | |
| Industrial Conveyor | Industrial | -1 rW | - | Moves items between containers |
Base Power Planner
No components added yet. Use the dropdown above or click the + button in the component table.
Wind Turbine Output by Height
Wind turbine output depends heavily on placement height and obstruction. The turbine checks for blocking objects above it. Higher = more consistent power. Values are approximate averages.
Tip: Place turbines on the highest point of your base with no walls/roofs above. Trees and terrain also block wind. Multiple turbines can be combined with Root Combiners for more total power.
Solar Panel Output (Day/Night Cycle)
Solar panels output 0-20 rW based on sun position. Default Rust day lasts ~45 real minutes, night ~15 minutes. You MUST have battery backup for nighttime.
0 rW output — battery must cover all power needs
Night lasts ~15 real minutes (default server settings)
Battery needed for night:
Draw × 15 min = required rWm capacity
e.g., 10 rW draw × 15 min = 150 rWm (1 Small Battery)
Battery Runtime Calculator
Batteries have 80% charge/discharge efficiency. A Large Battery (24000 rWm) actually provides ~19200 rWm of usable power.
| Battery | Capacity | Usable (80%) | @ 10rW draw | @ 25rW draw | @ 50rW draw | @ 100rW draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Battery | 150 rWm | 120 rWm | 12m | — | — | — |
| Medium Battery | 9,000 rWm | 7,200 rWm | 12h 0m | 4h 48m | 2h 24m | — |
| Large Battery | 24,000 rWm | 19,200 rWm | 32h 0m | 12h 48m | 6h 24m | 3h 12m |
Common Circuit Templates
Auto Night Lights
Solar Panel charges the battery during the day and powers the Blocker, which blocks power to the lights. At night, the solar panel stops generating power, the Blocker deactivates, and the battery powers the lights automatically. A classic passive night-light circuit.
Turret Battery Backup
Wind Turbine provides primary power through a Root Combiner into a Large Battery. The battery outputs steady 10rW to the Auto Turret. If the turbine goes down (low wind), the battery keeps the turret running for hours. Add a second power source to the Root Combiner for redundancy.
Raid Alarm
HBHF Sensor detects nearby players and powers the Smart Alarm, which sends a push notification to your phone via the Rust+ companion app. Place the sensor covering your base perimeter. Only requires 1 rW from any power source. Get alerted to raids even when offline.
Smart Base
Smart Switch lets you toggle your entire base circuit from the Rust+ app. An Electrical Branch splits power between Door Controllers (for remote door access) and lights. Toggle everything on when you log in, off when you leave. Pair with a battery for always-on capability.
Rust Electricity Basics
Electricity in Rust allows players to power automated defenses, lighting, door controllers, and more. Power is measured in rustwatts (rW), and every component either generates, consumes, or passes through power. Understanding power flow is essential for building efficient circuits that keep your base protected and functional.
How Power Generation Works
Solar Panels produce up to 20 rW during peak daylight but drop to zero at night, making batteries essential for 24/7 operation. Wind Turbines generate up to 150 rW depending on wind speed and elevation — higher placements yield more consistent power. Small Generators burn low-grade fuel at 0.025 per second for a steady 40 rW, useful as backup power. Root Combiners let you merge two power sources into one output for greater total wattage.
Battery Storage and Night Power
Batteries are critical for maintaining power when your generation source is intermittent. A Small Battery stores 150 rWm and outputs up to 10 rW. Medium Batteries store 9000 rWm (about 150 minutes at full 50 rW output), while Large Batteries hold 24000 rWm at up to 100 rW output. For most bases, a Medium Battery paired with a Wind Turbine provides reliable around-the-clock power.
Planning Your Rust Base Power
Start by listing every component you need powered: turrets, lights, door controllers, cameras, and sensors. Add up the total power draw in rW, then choose a generation source that exceeds your requirements by at least 20% to account for battery charging overhead. Use Electrical Branches to split power efficiently, and always include a battery backup so your defenses stay active during low-generation periods.