LED lights are the future. They are not only more durable than other forms of lighting, but they are environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run. However, choosing the right LED bulb can be challenging, especially for beginners. You’ll want to buy something long-lasting, bright, and energy efficient.
But one frequently asked question by homeowners when buying a new LED light bulb is how many amps the LED light bulb use. In this blog post, I’ll discuss all there’s to know about LED light amps.
What is Amp on LED Lights?
An ampere, or amp, shows you how much electric current a LED light bulb can provide at that moment. It is important to understand how many amps your bulbs will draw when switched on because it helps you to know how many amps can run through your extension cord. For LED lights, the amp draw depends on various factors like the wattage, type of LED light, and voltage.
How Many Amps Does LED Bulb Use?
LED lights are a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional incandescent lightbulbs. Although they use less energy, they still need some current to operate. The number of amps a LED bulb uses depends on the voltage of your power supply system and the bulb’s wattage.
The actual amount of current that a LED bulb can draw may vary depending on the power supply quality and the bulb type.
How to Calculate Amps for LED Lights?
You can calculate the amperage of your LED bulbs by dividing the actual wattage of the bulb by the voltage of your power supply system. Once you know the wattage of your LED bulb, you can use the following formula:
Amps = Watts / Volts
For instance, if you have a 10-watt bulb that is rated for 120 volts, the calculation will be:
Amps = 10 Watt / 120 Volts
The answer will be 0.083 amps. This formula works for LED bulbs rated for 120 volts. If your bulbs have a different voltage, you need to use a different formula to calculate the current draw.
Do LED Lights Draw More Amps Than Traditional Incandescent Bulbs?
No, LED lightbulbs are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent or CFL bulbs. However, this will depend on the bulb type and the brightness level. Generally, an LED lightbulb has a lower wattage and uses less energy than an incandescent bulb, provided the two have the same voltage power source.
Why Amps Matter for LED Lights?
The amp rating for your LED lights has two objectives for homeowners. Firstly, it determines the number of LED bulbs you can add to your circuit. Circuits can only hold a limited number of electronics. This is why the size of your circuit is important.
For example, if you have a 15 amps circuit, the total load of your LEDs cannot surpass 15A. If you are not sure about the amp rating of each LED bulb, you cannot determine the right number of LED bulbs your circuit can hold.
Too many LEDs can overload your circuit. If you do not want to overload your circuit, the amp rating will show the amount of light your bulbs will generate.
Does Distance Affect the Amps?
All electrical wires have some resistance. Therefore, if the wire is long, the resistance will be higher. However, most people worry about the voltage drop, not the amperage drop.
Amperage drop comes when you lose some of the currents you’re transmitting because of the resistance it faces as it travels a long distance.
How Many Amps Does a Light Bulb Use at DC Power?
This depends on the type of bulb you are using. Most bulbs use between 0.5-amp to 2 amps. If you want to determine the accurate amps your bulbs use, check the information on the package or the owner’s manual.
Reasons Why You Should Know How Many Amps LED Lights Draw
- To calculate energy savings: LED bulbs are very energy-efficient. The best way to calculate your energy savings is to determine the number of amps your bulbs draw. This will help you determine your potential savings and make wise decisions about your lighting system.
- Troubleshooting your LED bulbs: If your LED bulbs are not functioning or are flickering, you need to check the number of amps they’re drawing. This will help you to check if the problem lies in the fixtures or your bulbs. Additionally, you will know how your system works and find the root cause of the problems.
- To prevent overloading the circuits: Another crucial reason to know the number of amps your lights draw is to prevent overloading your circuits. If you do not know how much power your bulbs will consume, it’s better to go wrong on the caution side and confirm the amps. This will help you avoid expensive downtime and repairs.
- To ensure compatibility: If you want to replace traditional bulbs with LED options, you need to ensure that they are compatible with your light fixtures. The best way to do this is by checking the amps they draw. This will also help you replace the fixtures if they’re incompatible.
- To save money on energy bills: LED bulbs are more energy-efficient compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. This means they will save you some money in the long run. The best way to determine your potential savings is to check how many amps your bulbs draw. This will help you know your potential savings and make the right decisions about your lighting system.
- To choose the right size fuse: If your LEDs use a circuit with a fuse, you need to choose the right one. The wrong-size fuse can start a fire or even cause your lights to fail.
- To know your lighting needs: When planning your home lighting, you need to know the number of amps your bulbs will draw. This will help you determine how many bulbs and fixtures you need for your home.
Final Thoughts
The number of amperes your LED bulbs will use is lower than traditional incandescent bulbs. However, the amperage draw will depend on the specs of your LED lightbulbs, like the power source voltage and the bulb’s wattage. It is important to check the number of amps your bulbs will draw when choosing the right ones for your home.