How many volt amps are required to run a refrigerator?

Answer 1

There is no easy answer to this.

Firstly, it depends on the fridge. Obviously a huge double-door refrigerator will consume a lot more energy than a tiny bar fridge.

Also, they only consume a lot of energy when the compressor is running. The compressor will turn on when the thermostat (ie: temperature sensor) shows that the temperature inside the fridge has gone up too far. How quickly this happens (and how often) will depend the temperature outside the fridge, compared to what temperature you've set the dial to inside.

So, a fridge will consume far less energy on a Winter's night, than it would in the middle of a hot Summer's day. And it will consume more energy the lower you set the temperature dial, because it has to work harder to keep the fridge colder.

Having said all of that, an average 16 cubic-foot frost-free fridge has a consumption rate of around 700 watts. But, it might only be operating at the full 700 Watts, say, 20% of the time. So, your power consumption in that case would be 140 watts per hour, or 0.14 KWh (kilowatt-hours - the correct term for power consumption).

Generally, for a new fridge in the store, you can look at the sticker on the fridge, which will tell you its consumption rate in KWh. Or, if it's an old fridge you already own and the stickers are all gone, you could buy a power consumption meter from the hardware store. Basically, you unplug the fridge (oven, TV, whatever), plug in the meter, then plug the fridge into the meter. Run it for a couple of days, and the meter will tell you how much power your device has been consuming.

To further complicate things, the wattage rating actually depends on the power source used. In America, you have 110 volts, whereas in Australia, for example, the voltage is 240. This actually changes the wattage calculation, so the same fridge will have difference consumption ratings in different countries. The 700 watt example above was obtained from the US Department of Energy, so it applies to a 110-volt power supply.

I told you there was no easy answer!!!

Answer 2

A fridge in North America requires 105 to 120 volts to run.

Volts are not measured in time

Watts are a measure of power draw.

An average running fridge will draw 650 watts or more.

Answer 3

For a 120 volt (V), 60 Hz system: 120 times about 7.5 amps (A) = 900 volt-amps (VA)

Answer 4

There are NO volts IN a refrigerator. It takes volts from the wall outlet to work. In north America 110 volts is needed.

Answer 5

A small kitchen refrigerator takes about 500 watts but only for 2-3 minutes each hour. On a 240 v system that would be 3 amps, on 120 v 6 amps.