How Many Amps Does a Light Bulb Use

A light bulb consuming 10 to 100 watts of power would draw around 0.08 to 0.8 amps of current. An incandescent light bulb of 35 to 75 watts would draw 0.3 to 0.6 amps of current. A CFL of 8 to 35 watts would draw 0.06 to 0.3 amps, and an LED bulb of 4 to 15 watts would consume 0.03 to 0.12 amps. There are a lot of factors you should consider when determining how many amps a light bulb uses. Some factors include the types of light bulbs, wattage consumption, voltage, and power source.

Every room in your house needs lighting, making light bulbs an indispensable part of every household. Moreover, the power source and consumption are correlated to the electricity bills, which means high power consumption would draw more current and eventually increase electricity costs. Solar power generators like Jackery Solar Generator can be used indoors and outdoors as a reliable alternative power to conventional grid power to charge light bulbs and camping lamps.  Along with being lightweight and compact, these solar generators are also powerful battery backups for off-grid living, power backups, and outdoor adventures.

Key Takeaways

• A standard light bulb of 10 to 100 watts of power would draw around 0.08 to 0.8 amps of current at 120V.
• When running at 120V, an incandescent light bulb of 35 to 75 watts would draw 0.3 to 0.6 amps of current.
• A CFL of 8 to 35 watts would draw 0.06 to 0.3 amps at 120V.
• A LED bulb of 4 to 15 watts would consume 0.03 to 0.12 amps at 120V.
• A light meter is an instrument for measuring light in the lumen. Each lumen carrier has a different power consumption.

How Many Amps Does a Light Bulb Use

A light bulb of size A19 would consume around 60 to 100 watts of power at 120V and draw 0.5 to 0.8 amps. A light bulb of size R20, consuming 6 to 14 watts of power, would consume 0.05 to 0.12 amps of current. Another size light bulb, MR16, consuming 3 to 20 watts of power, would draw 0.025 to 0.17 amps of current. Similarly, a light bulb of size BR30 would consume 9 to 65 watts on average when running at 120V and draw 0.07 to 0.5 amps.

Various factors decide how many amps a light bulb uses, such as the base, shape, watts, lumens, CRI (Color Rendering Index), color temperature, and voltage.

Definition of Amps, Volts, Watts, Running Watts

Fundamental concepts of an electrical system are important to understand how many amps a light bulb uses. Some of these concepts include a detailed knowledge of amps, volts, and watts to help you make informed decisions. Knowing the basics of these units lets you know how many watts a light bulb uses, along with its amps and voltage.

Amps (Amperes): Ampere measures the rate of current flowing in an electrical system and is the SI unit of electric current. In a light bulb, the amperage measures the electricity flow from the power supply. Once you know the power consumption of a light bulb running at particular volts, you can calculate the amps by using the formula:

Amps = Watts ÷ Volts.

Volts: Volt is the measure of electromotive force in a system and measures the potential difference in a conductor. When the pressure in a conductor pushes the electrons, current flows through the circuit. This pressure is represented in volts; the higher the volts, the more current flows through the light bulb.

Volts = Watts ÷ Amps

Watts: The rate at which the light bulb consumes power is represented as its wattage. One watt is equal to one joule of energy per second. Understanding how many watts a light bulb uses is important to know its functionality. Watts can be calculated using this formula once you know the amps drawn and the voltage of the light bulb:

Watts = Volts × Amps.

Running Watts: Running wattage or rated wattage is the power your light bulb consumes when operating at standard parameters. Once you find the running wattage, you can see how much continuous power can be supplied by the power source.

Running Watts = Volts × Running Amps.

How Many Amps Do an Incandescent Light Bulb, Compact Fluorescent Bulb, And LED Light Bulb Use?

An incandescent light bulb of 35 to 75 watts operating at 120V would draw 0.3 to 0.6 amps of current. A compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) of 8 to 35 watts would draw 0.06 to 0.3 amps at 120V. Similarly, a light-emitting diode (LED) bulb of 4 to 15 watts operating at 120V would consume 0.03 to 0.12 amps.

Halogen light bulbs of 10 to 50 watts would draw an amperage of 0.08 to 0.4 amps at 120V. Another type of light bulb, mercury vapor lamps of 100 to 400 watts running at 120V, would draw around 0.8 to 3.3 amps.

Here's a detailed comparison of the different types of light bulbs, appliance wattage chart, and amp usage:

How Many Amps Does a Light Bulb Draw on a Startup?

Every electrical appliance has a running wattage, and the one with a motor or compressor has a surge wattage. Since a light bulb does not need a motor or compressor to start, it does not have a surge wattage. It is advisable to see the running wattage to know how many amps a light bulb uses.

Starting Watts vs Running Watts

Starting wattage is also known as surge wattage and lasts ideally for 2-3 seconds to start the compressor of an appliance with a motor. Running wattage, also known as rated wattage, is the power an appliance needs to operate. In a light bulb, the rate and surge wattage are equal.

For example, if your light bulb runs at 48 watts, 120 volts, and draws 0.4 amps of current, then:

Running Watts = Volts x Amps = 120V x 0.4 amp = 48 watts.

Startup Amps vs Running Amps

Like wattage, a light bulb's starting and running amps are equal. This implies that the startup amperage would be the same if a light bulb draws 4 amps of current as its running amperage.  

For example, if you have a 100W light bulb plugged into a 120V outlet, then:

Running Amps = Watts ÷ Volts = 100W ÷ 120V = 0.8 amps.

If we consider a power fluctuation where the bulb uses 100W at startup and is plugged into a 120V outlet, then:

Startup Amps = Startup Watts ÷ Volts = 100W ÷ 120V = 0.8 amps.

How to Calculate Your Light Bulb Amps

Having a basic understanding of how many amps a light bulb uses is important for analyzing your energy requirements and monitoring performance. Knowing the light bulb amps can help you manage the household power load and ensure the long-lasting reliability of appliances. There are some easy methods for calculating the amps of your light bulb.

Method 1: Manufacturer Details: Energy Star Rating

The first method to calculate the amps of your light bulb is to look at the manufacturer details provided in the user manual or label. Some appliances are also Energy Star-rated and have higher efficiency than normal ones. If you check the light bulb's user manual, you may find information on voltage, wattage, and amps.

Method 2: Determine the Amps From the Wattage

As mentioned, the amps of a light bulb can be calculated once you know the power and voltage. In case the user manual details are unavailable, you can still calculate the amps by checking the power supply's daily power consumption and voltage.

For example, if the wattage consumption of an LED light bulb is 15W for four hours per day, then it consumes 60Wh/day. Putting the values in the formula, we get:

Amps = Daily Watt Hours ÷ Volts

Amps = 60 ÷ 120 = 0.5A.

Method 3: Light Meter

A light meter is an instrument for measuring lights in the lumen. Each lumen carrier has a different power consumption. The light meter contains a sensor that can convert light energy into electrical energy. By this conversion, you can get the reading of wattage, amps, and voltage. The light meter can measure different types of lights, including incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lights.

To use the light meter, simply place it where you want to measure the light. It is recommended that you place the light meter on a surface and not hold it. The lux reading will be displayed on the screen.

Tips to Save Your Electricity Bill

According to the Department of Energy, lighting accounts for around 15% of electricity use at home. Switching to energy-efficient lighting, you can use the same amount of light for less money. LED lights save an average household about $225 in electricity costs. Here are some more tips to save your electricity bills:

• Switching to energy-efficient lighting is the fastest way to reduce electricity bills. For even the greatest energy-saving products, choose bulbs rated with Energy Star.
• In today's world, LEDs are the most energy-efficient lighting technology, and they are developing rapidly. LEDs not only last up to 25 times longer but use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
• Harnessing solar energy with solar panels or solar generators is another way to lower your electricity bills significantly. These panels do not make you dependent on conventional grid energy, which, in turn, does not contribute to electricity bills.
• A simple habit like turning off the lights when not in use is one of the easiest ways to save money on electricity bills.

Solar Generators for Light Bulb

Lighting contributes a significant portion of electricity consumption, so one alternative to saving electricity costs can be changing the power supply. Solar power generators, for instance, are lightweight and compact and use renewable energy to charge bulbs and other appliances. You can even carry portable solar generators for night camping and never run out of power to light your bulbs or lamps.

Jackery Solar Generators are solar-powered generators that combine solar panels and power stations. They use solar energy as the primary source of their working mechanism. When the solar panels are placed out on a bright sunny day, they absorb the sun's energy with their monocrystalline cells. Then, the solar panels convert sun energy to electrical energy. This DC is transferred to a power station, where it is converted to AC to charge the appliances.

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a lightweight solar power generator ideal for camping or hiking. It can power multiple LED lights while camping at night without an electricity supply. It features a foldable handle and a suitcase design and can even fit into your backup for adventures.

Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus

Weighing just 16.1 lbs, the Jackery Solar Generator 600 Plus is highly durable and ideal for outdoors. It combines bifacial high-efficiency solar panels, providing enhanced charging efficiency. From camping lights to bulbs, the solar generator supports a variety of outdoor devices. Whether you need long-lasting power or emergency backup, the solar generator has you covered.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus has an expandable capacity and can charge 99% of devices. It provides home backup power for one to three days and supports camping, off-road travel, and more. From various types, including LED, CFL, and incandescent, to camping lights, the solar generator can fulfill your lighting needs. Moreover, it can provide power on the move whenever you drive and need power to charge your appliances.

FAQs About Light Bulbs

How many amps is a standard light bulb?

A standard light bulb with a power consumption of 10 to 100 watts would draw 0.08 to 0.8 of current when running at 120V. The amperage in light bulbs of different sizes and types varies depending on the power consumption.

How many amps does an LED light bulb use?

When operating at 120V, a 4—to 15-watt LED bulb draws 0.03 to 0.12 amps. However, the current drawn would vary depending on the size of the LED bulbs.

How many amps does a 5-watt bulb draw?

A 5-watt bulb running at 120V would draw an amperage of 0.04 amps. CFL and LED are two types that fall within the 5-watt power consumption range.

How many amps does a 40-watt light bulb use?

Considering the light bulb operated at 120V, a 40-watt bulb would draw an amperage of 0.3 amps. Amps can be calculated simply using the formula — amps = Watts ÷ Volts.

Conclusion

After you understand how many amps a light bulb uses, you can choose between an Energy Star-rated bulb and a traditional bulb. LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient compared to incandescent bulbs. Bulb bases come in various shapes and sizes, which also affect amperage and power consumption. Investing in solar power generators like Jackery Solar Generators can save significant electricity bill costs. These solar generators are not only economical but also environmentally friendly.