What Size Breaker Is Best For A Refrigerator?

If you’re installing a new refrigerator or replacing an old one, you might be wondering what size breaker for refrigerator you need. A breaker is a device that protects your electrical circuit from overloading or short-circuiting by cutting off the power when the current exceeds a certain limit. The size of the breaker you need depends on the power consumption of your refrigerator and the capacity of your electrical circuit. In this post, we’ll explain how to determine what size breaker for refrigerator you need and what factors to consider.

The short answer is: you need a 15-amp or 20-amp breaker for most refrigerators. The size of the breaker you need for your refrigerator depends on the wattage of the fridge and the amperage rating of the circuit. Most refrigerators require between 15 and 20 amps, so a typical 15-amp circuit should be sufficient. If your fridge is particularly large or uses more power-intensive features, you may need a 20-amp circuit.

How to Determine What Size Breaker For Refrigerator You Need

To determine what size breaker for refrigerator you need, you need to know two things: the wattage of your refrigerator and the amperage rating of your circuit.

• The wattage of your refrigerator is the amount of power it consumes in watts. You can find this information on the label or manual of your fridge, or by using a watt meter to measure it. Alternatively, you can estimate the wattage by multiplying the voltage and the current of your fridge. For example, if your fridge uses 120 volts and 5 amps, its wattage is 120 x 5 = 600 watts.
• The amperage rating of your circuit is the maximum amount of current it can handle in amps. You can find this information on the breaker panel or by consulting an electrician. Most household circuits are rated for 15 amps or 20 amps, which means they can handle up to 1,800 watts or 2,400 watts respectively.

Once you know the wattage of your refrigerator and the amperage rating of your circuit, you can compare them to determine what size breaker for refrigerator you need. The rule of thumb is to choose a breaker that can handle at least 125% of the wattage of your fridge. For example, if your fridge uses 600 watts, you need a breaker that can handle at least 600 x 1.25 = 750 watts.

To convert watts to amps, you can divide by the voltage of your circuit. For example, if your circuit uses 120 volts, you can divide 750 watts by 120 volts to get 6.25 amps. This means you need a breaker that can handle at least 6.25 amps.

The standard sizes for breakers are 15 amps and 20 amps, so you should choose the closest one that meets or exceeds your requirement. In this case, a 15-amp breaker would be sufficient for your fridge.

However, if your fridge uses more than 1,440 watts (which is equivalent to 12 amps at 120 volts), you should choose a 20-amp breaker instead. This is because most electrical codes require that a circuit should not be loaded more than 80% of its capacity. For example, if your fridge uses 1,500 watts (which is equivalent to 12.5 amps at 120 volts), you should choose a 20-amp breaker that can handle up to 16 amps (which is equivalent to 1,920 watts at 120 volts).

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Breaker For Your Refrigerator

Besides the wattage of your refrigerator and the amperage rating of your circuit, there are some other factors to consider when choosing a breaker for your refrigerator, such as:

• The type of refrigerator. Different types of refrigerators may have different power requirements and features that affect their power consumption. For example, side-by-side refrigerators tend to use more power than top-freezer refrigerators, and refrigerators with ice makers or water dispensers tend to use more power than those without them.
• The age and condition of your refrigerator. Older or poorly maintained refrigerators may use more power than newer or well-maintained ones due to wear and tear or inefficiency.
• The location and temperature of your refrigerator. The location and temperature of your refrigerator can affect its power consumption as well. For example, if your fridge is located in a hot or humid area, it may have to work harder to keep cool than if it’s located in a cool or dry area.
• The number and type of other appliances on the same circuit. If you have other appliances on the same circuit as your refrigerator, such as microwaves, dishwashers, or toaster ovens, they may add to the total load on the circuit and affect the size of the breaker you need. You should avoid overloading your circuit by using too many appliances at the same time or by using appliances that use a lot of power.

FAQs

Q: Can I use a 15-amp breaker for a 20-amp refrigerator?

A: No, you should not use a 15-amp breaker for a 20-amp refrigerator. A 15-amp breaker can only handle up to 1,800 watts, while a 20-amp refrigerator can use up to 2,400 watts. If you use a 15-amp breaker for a 20-amp refrigerator, you may cause the breaker to trip frequently or even damage your refrigerator or your circuit.

Q: Can I use a 20-amp breaker for a 15-amp refrigerator?

A: Yes, you can use a 20-amp breaker for a 15-amp refrigerator. A 20-amp breaker can handle up to 2,400 watts, which is more than enough for a 15-amp refrigerator that uses up to 1,800 watts. Using a 20-amp breaker for a 15-amp refrigerator will not cause any harm to your refrigerator or your circuit.

Q: How do I know what size breaker I have for my refrigerator?

A: You can find out what size breaker you have for your refrigerator by looking at the label on the breaker panel or by consulting an electrician. The label should indicate the amperage rating of the breaker, such as 15 A or 20 A. You can also measure the voltage and the current of your circuit with a multimeter and compare them with the wattage of your refrigerator to determine what size breaker you have.

Conclusion

Choosing the right size breaker for your refrigerator is important to ensure the safety and efficiency of your appliance and your circuit. The size of the breaker you need depends on the wattage of your refrigerator and the amperage rating of your circuit. Most refrigerators require between 15 and 20 amps, so a typical 15-amp circuit should be sufficient. If your fridge is particularly large or uses more power-intensive features, you may need a 20-amp circuit.