Can I figure out the amps of this fridge?

Question

Im buying a fridge for college and was told it cannot exceed 2.2 amps.

The only information given close to amps was this:

Electrical Requirement (v/hz)115v/60hz

Annual Energy Consumption 340kwh/yr

Can anyone familiar with things like this help me out?

Or does that information not allow you to figure out amps?

Answer 1

Those little 1 and 2 cu. ft refrigerators use less than a 100W lightbulb. (which is 0.83 Amps).

You will not exceed 2.2 Amps.

Based on 340 kWhr/yr, the full-time rate is 38.8 Watts, which is 0.32 Amps (but I doubt they are *that* efficient).

There will be a little metal tag attached to the back of the fridge somewhere that lists the actual current draw (or lists the power draw), along with other information like serial number, model number, etc.

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Answer 2

You don't have enough info to calculate amps.  You need to know the watts (at 115v/60hz), similar to 100 watts (0.87 amps) for a light bulb.  Likely you must share a wall circuit with other students and collectively can not exceed 15 amps (with refrigerators, computers and TV's, etc.).  Tell the store that it can not exceed 2.2 amps and they can determine that from specified watts (likely a small dorm-type refrigerator).  The annual (estimated) consumption of 340kwh/yr likely considers that it is plugged in all year but cycles on and off, but at about 10 cents per kwh lets you estimate your likely cost for electrical power (about $34/yr).  

Answer 3

Who told you it cannot exceed 2.2 amps?  A standard receptacle can handle 15 amps.  do you have too much other stuff packed onto that circuit?  Or did someone tell you that to be aware of energy consumption?

Keep in mind that average energy consumption is different than peak consumption.  Usually, energy use focuses on total energy used over a long period of time.  Your refrigerator compressor cycles on and off.  So even if the average usage is less than 0.8 amps, it's possible that it uses 3 amps for a minute, and then is off for 4 minutes, averaging 0.8 amps.  Like the other person said, there should be a tag somewhere telling you the peak amperage or wattage.  If the wattage is listed, then divide by 115v to get amps.  

Only the average consumption makes a difference in your electricity bill.  But your peak consumption affects the circuit it's on.  If you're on a 15 amp circuit that is already dedicated to 12.8 amps, then you can only add 2.2 more amps at any one time.  But I wouldn't advise maxing out your circuits.