How Many Amps Does an Oil-Filled Radiator Use?
Oil-Filled Radiator draws about 13 amps at 120 volts (1,500 watts running). At 13 A, an oil-filled radiator is too much for a shared 15 A circuit under the 80% rule — it belongs on a 20 A circuit, ideally with little else running on it.
Amps = watts ÷ volts. Enter the wattage from your appliance's nameplate or label for an exact figure.
Current draw — an oil-filled radiator
13 A
- At 120 V
- 1,500 W
- Typical breaker
- 20 A
Breaker figure is guidance for a simple resistive load, sized at 125% for continuous running — confirm against the nameplate and a licensed electrician.
Oil-Filled Radiator amperage at 120 V and 240 V
Same 1,500 W load — the current halves when the voltage doubles. Oil-Filled Radiator is typically a 120 V appliance in US homes.
| Draw | Watts | Amps at 120 V | Amps at 240 V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | 1,500 W | 13 A | 6.3 A |
Breaker and circuit for an oil-filled radiator
At 13 A, an oil-filled radiator is too much for a shared 15 A circuit under the 80% rule — it belongs on a 20 A circuit, ideally with little else running on it. For a dedicated circuit, guidance is a 20 A breaker with 12 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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