Central air conditioners typically require higher air conditioner amperage due to their larger cooling capacity. A 2-ton central AC unit may draw around 15-20 amps. A 3.5-ton unit may require 25-30 amps. A 5-ton unit may need 30-40 amps.
As mentioned earlier, the amperage of a window AC depends on its size and efficiency. A small unit with a cooling capacity of 5,000 BTU can easily be powered by a 15 amp circuit. However, larger units with a cooling capacity of 18,000 BTU may require a higher amperage and cannot be run on a 15 amp circuit.
Key Takeaways
Small window AC units (5000 - 8000 BTU) draw nearly 5 - 7 amps, whereas midsize AC units (8000 - 12,000 BTU) need 7 - 10 amps. The larger window AC units, with 12,000 - 24,000 BTU cooling capacities, draw as high as 10 - 15 amps.
2 Ton AC = 15 amps. 3 Ton AC = 18 amps. 4 Ton AC = 21 amps.
For a 5000 BTU unit that generally means about 4 amps during normal operation with brief jolts of 8 amps at compressor start. But your mileage may vary. If you're using one of those wi-fi plugs, be sure to get a heavy-duty 10-amp-or-higher model.
Plugging AC Units Into Power Strips
Though they appear to be more than a standard outlet or electrical cord, power strips are electrical accessories that increase the number of outlets for a receptacle. Plugging a high-powered air conditioner into a power strip is dangerous and can cause an electrical fire.
Your refrigerator is one of the larger household appliances, and it's always on! On average, a refrigerator uses 300 to 800 watts of electricity, or between 3 and 6 amps and about 120 volts.
In general, central air conditioners use between 15 and 45 amps based on how many tons they are, and about 240 volts. A central AC unit typically uses between 3,000 and 4,000 W, A central AC unit must be hard wired and have a dedicated circuit.
3-ton (36,000 BTU) central AC: 6,500-8,500 watts. A 7500-watt generator is ideal. 4-ton (48,000 BTU) central AC: 8,000-10,500 watts. A 10,000-watt portable is recommended.
A typical household microwave might use around 7.5 amps. However, larger microwaves (like those over 1,200 watts) can draw more, around 10-15 amps. This is because most household microwaves used in kitchens across the United States are in the 600-1,200 watt range.
Generally, hair dryers use between 1,500 and 2,000 watts (W) of electricity, depending on the model. hair dryers usually use between 15 and 20 amps and connect to a 120-volt outlet. How much you use your hair dryer has the biggest impact on how much electricity it uses over time.
Medium window AC units (10,000 to 12,000 BTU) often use between 8 to 12 amps. Large window AC units (14,000 to 25,000 BTU) can use anywhere from 12 to 20 amps or more.
Experts recommend plugging the unit directly into your wall outlet, although you can also use a heavy-duty extension cord. Like a surge protector, it's crucial to limit the amount of devices you connect to the cord to prevent overloading the electrical current.
In fact, they often use more power than most other appliances in your home. That's why it's important to give them their own circuit breaker. One safety concern to be aware of is the window air conditioner plug safety hazard.
An AC technician typically uses a 10/2 wire size for a standard air conditioner. A 10/3 wire consists of one neutral, one ground, and two hot conductors and is suited for dual-voltage appliances (i.e., air conditioners with cooling and heating options).
Will A 9500 Watt Generator Run A House? A best 9500-watt generator can run most household essential devices, such as refrigerators, space heaters, window ACs, microwaves, kettles, lights, etc. It can also run most medium—to large-sized appliances.
Residential applications require a soft start capable of operation at 240 VAC, and much higher power current.
To power a 2,000-square-foot house, you typically need a generator between 16,000 to 24,000 watts (16-24kW), with most homeowners finding that a 20kW generator provides optimal coverage. This size range ensures you can maintain essential operations during power outages while avoiding the strain of an overloaded system.
Introduction. On average, refrigerators consume between 300 and 800 watts of electricity, depending on the age of the model. Most refrigerators use between 3 and 6 amps and operate at around 120 volts.
The average TV typically draws around 0.3 to 1.7 amps of current. The amp draw of the TV can vary based on factors such as the TV's efficiency, screen size, technology (LED/LCD, OLED, QLED), and additional features like smart capabilities and built-in sound systems.
Most clothes dryers use between 7.5 and 30 amps and connect to a 240-volt outlet. How much you run your clothes dryer has the biggest impact on how much electricity it uses over time, and households have all sorts of laundry routines.
Most modern electric water heaters utilize 18.8 amps with 240 volts and 4,500-watt heating elements. If you have a gas water heater, expect it to use 12 amps with 115 volts. The average 40-gallon tank requires a 30-amp breaker.
A typical microwave oven uses on average 1000 watts of power, which is equal to about 8.3 amps. So, if you have a standard 120-volt outlet, your microwave will draw about 8.3 amps of current.