How Many Amps Does a Small Chest Freezer Draw
by Nick Evans | Last Updated: April 13, 2021
Chest freezers are great ways to maximize your frozen food storage. Before buying one it's good to understand how many amps a deep freezer uses. Furthermore, it is important to know whether they need their own dedicated circuit.
In this article, we will answer the following:
- How many amps do chest freezers us?
- Does a chest freezer need its own dedicated circuit?
- Should you ever plug two freezers into one outlet?
How many amps does a freezer use?
When looking at the number of amps a freezer uses, you may hear this referred to as the "amp draw." Asked another way "how many amps does a freezer draw?"
Amp draw is a measurement of power consumed to run an appliance. In other words, a it is a way to quantify how hard an appliance has to work in order to run.
The larger the freezer, the more amps it will draw.
In order to provide an accurate answer to how many amps a freezer uses, you need to know the size of the freezer. Chest freezers, or deep freezers as they're also known come in a variety of different sizes.
They are usually broken down into 4 categories.
- Compact = 5 cubic feet
- Small = 6 to 9 cubic feet
- Medium = 12 to 18 cubic feet
- Large = 18+ cubic feet
It is important to remember that freezers will usually draw extra current when starting up. This "start up" draw is usually about 2 to 3 times higher than the draw of a freezer when running.
With that known, let's get into more specifics.
How many amps does a 5 cubic foot freezer use?
A 5 cubic foot freezer will typically use less than 1 amp when running. Upon start up, a 5 cubic foot freezer will use around 4 to 5 amps.
How many amps does a 7 cubic foot freezer use?
A 7 cubic foot freezer will typically use around 1.5 amps when running. Upon start up, a 7 cubic foot freezer will use around 3 to 4.5 amps.
How many amps does a 10 cubic foot freezer use?
A 10 cubic foot freezer will typically use around 1.5 to 2 amps when running. Upon start up, a 10 cubic foot freezer will use around 4.5 to 6 amps.
How many amps does a 15 cubic foot freezer use?
A 15 cubic feet will typically use less than 2 to 3 amps when running. Upon start up, the a 15 cubic foot freezer will use around 6 to 9 amps.
How many amps does a 20 cubic foot freezer use?
A 20 cubic foot freezer will typically use less than 4 to 5 amps when running. Upon start up, the a 20 cubic foot freezer will use around 10 to 15 amps.
Please note that the above numbers are approximates. Some chest freezers may use more amps, depending on their age. The older the chest freezer, the more likely it will utilize more electricity.
Start-up amps and wattage are usually 2 to 3 times more than running amps or watts
| Freezer Size | Start Up Amps | Running Amps |
|---|---|---|
| 5 cubic feet | 4 to 5 | >1 |
| 6 to 9 cubic feet | 3 to 4.5 | 1.5 |
| 10 cubic feet | 4.5 to 6 | 1.5 to 2 |
| 12 to 18 cubic feet | 6 to 9 | 2 to 3 |
| 18+ cubic feet | 10 to 15 | 4 to 5 |
Does a freezer need a dedicated circuit?
A freezer should always be plugged into its own dedicated circuit.
Can a freezer run on a 15 amp circuit?
Yes, a freezer can and should run on a 15 amp circuit.
More specifically, the circuit should be a 120 volt individual, properly grounded branch circuit with a 3 prong grounding type receptacle, protected by a 15 or 20 amp circuit breaker or time-delay fuse.
This allows for the most possible power with the least amount of electrical strain.
If a freezer shares a circuit with another appliance, there is the potential for circuit overload. Should a circuit become overloaded, the freezer or other appliance will likely shut off.
Furthermore, circuit overload can become a fire hazard if the circuit wires heat up to a hot enough degree.
In general, all permanent appliances should be plugged into their own dedicated circuits. A few more examples of appliances that should run on their own circuits are:
- Wall Ovens
- Refrigerators
- Toasters
- Microwaves
- Dishwashers
- Garbage Disposals
To learn more about circuits, check out this great resource.
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Can I plug two freezers into one outlet?
As mentioned above, it is highly recommended that each freezer is given its own amp circuit. This also means it should be given its own outlet.
Our recommendation is that you do not plug two freezers into one outlet.
Final Thoughts
Chest freezers can be wonderful supplements to your kitchen freezer. In general, they are relatively low energy provide a great means of long-term food storage.
Be sure to practice proper safety precautions and, if needed, bring in a professional!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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How Many Amps Does a Small Chest Freezer Draw
Source: https://homeappliancehero.com/large-home-appliances/freezers/how-many-amps-does-a-freezer-use/#:~:text=A%2020%20cubic%20foot%20freezer%20will%20typically%20use%20less%20than,around%2010%20to%2015%20amps.
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