If a chest freezer is rated at 15A, what is its actual usage of Amps? Is it 15A just when running... ??

Question

I just bought a chest freezer and have to run it off an extension cord. The cord is rated at 15A. I am also running 3 fans in the unit (for proper circulation) which total usage = .9A (900mA). Just need to know if I need a higher rated extension cord.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Well, if your cord is rated at a max of 15A I would upgrade it to a heavy duty unit. (17-19A) The freezer is offering you the max rating, but even so, running your cord at 15.9A isnt such a great idea.

Answer 2

The length of the cord matters - longer should be bigger, but if it is rated 15A and you don't use it with another to make it longer.   15A is mostly the starting rating and it probably runs about 10 when it is on.  If it has a heated seal (many don't) it probably draws an amp when the compressor is off.

  How big is this thing?  I can't imagine a 15A chest freezer in existence that needs any fans inside and even outside aimed at the coils 3 should be unnecessary.

Answer 3

well, freezers usually cool by the concept of conduction, (not convection like refrigerators) so the fans should only help when you first put your keg in. Also, how much circulation do you really need? for initial cool down perhaps, but once the keg is cold you won't need that much air flow. I would recommend that you make sure that the circuit you are using does not have any other things running on it, as your typical breaker is rated to 20 amps and your typical receptacle (outlet) is rated at 15 amps. When it comes to extension cords, heavier and shorter is best, however, do not be concerned by the Gage of the wire (AWG) if it is rated 15 amps, then it does not matter how long it is, the manufacturer made it heavy enough to handle 15 amps (a longer one would therefore have a heavier wire than a shorter one) I would say that you should cut down to one of the smaller fans and aim it on the coils, or away from, (whatever) as this will likely give you all the circulation you will need during storage. if it is a high quality cord made by a good manufacturer, then i would have to guess that it can handle a bit over 15 amps (just a little) and that the freezer will rarely draw the full 15 amps. if you then cut down to the smaller fan, then I would think that you will have no problem. as for when it would theoreticaly draw full power, even if it does exceed the cords rating, it would only be for a short time. you can run a 15 amp saw on a 13 amp cord (just not for long). if you ever find that the cord is getting unusualy warm, or that the plugs get hot at all, then you may want to reconsider. the best time to check would be after putting a warmer keg inside or on really hot and humid days. it may not be a problem, but remember you are risking a fire if you are wrong. Do as you see fit.

Answer 4

Running, the compressor will draw between ONE and TWO amps. That is all. Less than 200 watts normally.

To start you get a spike for less than a half second that can rather high. That is the nature of an inductive motor.

Answer 5

A larger cord would be better. The 15 Amp on the freezer is because when the compressor turns on it has a higher power draw just to start. Once it is running it actually draws much less.

It would be better on the freezer if you used a cord rated for 20 amps.

**JD

Answer 6

Appliances will typically draw 80 percent of the rated circuit capacity except on initial start up. So 12amps is the norm. Since you have a couple of fans, I would take an Ammeter (clamp on style) to the cord to see what it is drawing. If you are also running an extension cord, I would beef up the cord by buying a higher quality one. The manufacturer does not recommend using an extension cord but lets face it, almost everyone does since placement without it is not always convenient. A simple test you can do is after cleaning out the freezer and defrosting it, plug it back in and come back a little while later. Hold the cord in your hand. If it feels hot, I would get a larger guage extension cord.

Hope it helps.

Answer 7

it is quite common to show a higher amperage requirement than what is actualy used  for safety reasons. the unit may actualy use 8-15 amps. besides 15 amps is the lowest common breaker.