Appliance Amperage Draws
Appliances vary greatly as to how much power they draw. Electric motors typically have a surge draw of many more amps than their normal running load. This is particularly typical in high inductive load applications such as air conditioners where the starting surge can be 3 times the normal no-load amps and the current draw when running under a heavy load can be double the no-load amps. Resistant loads, such as lights and heating elements have a steady fixed current draw at all times.
The true measurement of power is in wattage. However, volts time amps = watts so it's a simple mathematical equation to convert from one to the other. For your convenience the following chart shows both. As always, be sure to check the nameplate for the rated current draw to get the exact rating for your particular appliance. The following chart represents a wide cross section of items and is useful as an approximation.
| Appliance | Load Range (Watts) | Average Load (Watts) | Amps |
| Air Conditioner (each) | 1400-2000 | 1700 | 14.1 |
| Battery Charger | Up to 2,000 | 1000 | 8.3 |
| DC Convertor | 300-1200 | 750 | 6.2 |
| Refrigerator | 600-1000 | 800 | 6.6 |
| Microwave Oven | 1000-1500 | 1250 | 10.4 |
| Electric Frying Pan/Wok | 1000-1500 | 1250 | 10.4 |
| Electric Stove Element | 530-1500 | 675 | 5.6 |
| Electric Water Heater (6 gallon) | 1000-1500 | 1250 | 10.4 |
| Electric Iron | 500-1200 | 850 | 7.1 |
| Hair Dryer | 500-1500 | 1000 | 8.3 |
| Electric Coffee Pot | 550-750 | 650 | 5.4 |
| Television (CRT) | 200-600 | 400 | 3.3 |
| Radio | 50-200 | 125 | 1.0 |
| Electric Drill | 250-750 | 500 | 4.2 |
| Electric Broom | 200-500 | 350 | 2.9 |
| Electric Blanket | 50-200 | 125 | 1.0 |
| Portable Heater (Ceramic) | 1500-750 | 1500 | 12.5 |
| Toaster | 1200 | 1200 | 10.0 |
| Food Processor | 720 | 720 | 6.0 |
| Hand Vacuum | 240 | 240 | 2.0 |
| Crock Pot | 230 | 230 | 1.9 |
| Satellite Dish and Receiver | 200 | 200 | 1.7 |
| Heating Pad | 60 | 60 | 0.5 |
Submitted by Mike Sundberg - 1/05/06
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