Fridge and freezer chest in same outlet?

[vinny186]

I was asked this question today but had no idea. I'll have to check the panel to see if it's 15 or 20 amps. I know sometimes fridges have a dedicated circuit. This will be in the garage.

 

[Sparky617]

You'd need to know the load of each of the units. My two refrigerator/freezers are rated at 6.5 amps, so well within the limits of a 15 amp circuit. They are both 20+ years old, not sure if newer ones are more efficient.


A 20 amp 110 VAC circuit is good for 2200 watts, a 15 amp is good for 1650 watts. If they both were running at the same time and drew more than the rated wattage they'd trip the breaker. Typically things that plug into a 15 amp circuit are limited to 1500 amps (hair dryers, toaster ovens, Instant Pots, microwaves, space heaters) Modern kitchen and bath outlets are 20 amp outlets, but rarely do you find something with a 20 amp plug on the end of the wire. A plug for a 20 amp appliance would have one of the prongs perpendicular to the other and are why you see a T shaped slot on some outlets.

You'd probably have a bigger issue plugging a toaster or a microwave into the same outlet as a refrigerator than a fridge and a freezer.

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[Snoonyb]

If you can't find the info via the make/modle, there will be a nomenclature plate near the cord entry, generally listed in KW, so divide the KW x 120v and the result will be the amperage.

 

[Sparky617]

On both of my refrigerator/freezers the information was easily found on the label inside the refrigerator compartment.

 

[Eddie_T]

One thing I do even when I am sure of myself is to feel the receptacle for excess heat in operation.

 

[Sparky617]

Here is a typical label found inside the cabinet. It doesn't list the wattage, but it does list the nominal voltage (115) and current draw (6,5).

 

[vinny186]

Thanks for the detailed info Sparky and everyone else, thanks as well.