Answering the question “how many amps does a fridge use” is an essential step in figuring out the optimal electricity configuration that you need.
If you connect too many devices that draw more amperes then the circuit can handle, it will lead to a short circuit and you don’t want that to happen as it can lead to a variety of problems.
After being in a similar situation I began researching on the topic and several hours of surfing and watching videos later, I came up with an answer. Depending on the type of refrigerator you use the number of amperes that your refrigerator draws can vary.
You can easily calculate how many amperes does a refrigerator use by the following simple formula. Amp=Watts/Voltage, all you have to do is divide the total number of watts that the refrigerator uses by the voltage of the power supply.
An important thing to note is that if you are in North America then the standard voltage will be 120 volts, however, in European countries, it will be mostly 220 volts. So by using this formula, we can easily get the average number of amps that a refrigerator uses.
For example, let’s say that the refrigerator you have consumes approximately 750 watts if you divide this by 120 then you get approximately 6 amperes. Similarly, if you are in a European country or using a 220-volt circuit then the total number of amps drawn will be approximately 3.
Tips for easy calculations:
Bill Connely is a consultant who spends most of his time in his mobile home and because of this he has to be on top of the calculations to keep things running smoothly, this short guide shows you all the tips and tricks you need.
Below is a super easy guide detailing the quick and easy process of calculating the number of amps you should use, so be sure to check it out.
Calculating how many amperes does a refrigerator use:
So the two main things that you require to calculate the amps drawn by your fridge are watts and voltage.
Voltage depends on your geographical location and your electricity supplier the wattage, however, depends on the make and model of the refrigerator. Usually, this information will be present on the back of your device.
This is by far the easiest way to estimate how many amperes does a refrigerator use, however, there is another alternative method that is much more accurate, but you do require a certain instrument for it. That instrument is a clamp meter, just hook it up with your live wire and that it will show you exactly how many amperes does a refrigerator use.
If you’re out camping or traveling in an RV then this information is vital since it can save you from numerous electrical problems. You really need to calculate the amps that your refrigerator or the total electrical devices plugged into your circuit draw.
You can calculate how many amperes does a refrigerator use in an RV by using the same formula. This can actually prevent tripping or short circuits.
So be sure to calculate a total load of your devices beforehand and remember that a microwave alone can consume as much as 14 amps, running a fridge on the same circuit and other such devices can increase drastically increase the load.
What type of circuit do I need for my refrigerator?
So the first question that pops up is that what type of circuit breaker do you need to run your refrigerator. The answer is quite simple it should be 3-4 times the amps drawn by your fridge. So going on previous estimations you will need a circuit of about 15 to 20 amperes.
One more thing that you should know is that while 15 or 20 times will be more than what you require for your refrigerator to run if you do intend to use the circuit for other purposes such as a microwave then it can become problematic.
A microwave can draw as many as 15 amps alone, if you add that to the total of your refrigerator then that will be approximately 22 amps although this may seem fine however it’s not since a circuit only runs at about 80% of its rated load.
In short, if you’re using only a refrigerator and the circuit has a capacity of more than 15 amps then your good as long as you don’t hook up any other device. If you have any other queries regarding refrigerators then head on over to fridge info were we answer all fridge related questions.
FAQs:
Do I need a separate circuit for my refrigerator?
While it’s not necessary it can be very useful in some situations let’s say that you are using some power heavy devices on the same circuit as I’ve described above this can cause a short circuit. Which in turn, can cause a multitude of problems. So in one way, it’s best to get a separate one for your fridge. Mostly a single-pole circuit breaker will do the job just fine.
How many amps does a typical refrigerator use?
Depending on the size of the fridge and also the model the amps drawn can vary but it’s mostly between 5 to 6 amp range.
How many amps does a freezer use?
Generally the same amount of amps that a refrigerator does. Which is approximately 5 amps again this also depends on the size, make, and model of the freezer.
How many amps does my circuit need to be to support my fridge?
15-20 amp circuit will do just great. Although your fridge won’t use more than about 6 to 7 amps at a time however the extra amps will come in handy as they will protect your device from a short circuit.
Do I need a separate circuit for my fridge?
No, you don’t, you just need to be careful that you don’t plug any other power-hungry devices into the same outlet. But if for some reason you need to connect another device be sure you don’t plug them in at the same time.
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