How Many Amps Does a CFL Bulb Use?
CFL Bulb draws about 0.1 amps at 120 volts (14 watts running). At 0.1 A, a CFL bulb fits comfortably on a standard 15 A or 20 A household circuit.
Amps = watts ÷ volts. Enter the wattage from your appliance's nameplate or label for an exact figure.
Current draw — a CFL bulb
0.1 A
- At 120 V
- 14 W
- Typical breaker
- 15 A
Breaker figure is guidance for a simple resistive load, sized at 125% for continuous running — confirm against the nameplate and a licensed electrician.
CFL Bulb amperage at 120 V and 240 V
Same 14 W load — the current halves when the voltage doubles. CFL Bulb is typically a 120 V appliance in US homes.
| Draw | Watts | Amps at 120 V | Amps at 240 V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | 14 W | 0.1 A | 0.1 A |
Breaker and circuit for a CFL bulb
At 0.1 A, a CFL bulb fits comfortably on a standard 15 A or 20 A household circuit. For a dedicated circuit, guidance is a 15 A breaker with 14 AWG copper (75°C terminations) — sized at 125% of the running current because it runs 3+ hours at a time (NEC 210.20).
Guidance only — actual circuit sizing depends on your unit's nameplate, wire run length, and local code. Confirm with a licensed electrician. See the wire & breaker size chart for the full NEC ampacity table.
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