How Many Amps Does a Shop Vac Use?
Shop Vac draws about 12 amps at 120 volts (1,400 watts running) and briefly spikes to around 23 amps at startup. At 12 A, a shop vac 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 shop vac
12 A
- At 120 V
- 1,400 W
- Typical breaker
- 15 A
Breaker figure is guidance for a simple resistive load — confirm against the nameplate and a licensed electrician.
Shop Vac amperage at 120 V and 240 V
Same 1,400 W load — the current halves when the voltage doubles. Shop Vac is typically a 120 V appliance in US homes.
| Draw | Watts | Amps at 120 V | Amps at 240 V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running | 1,400 W | 12 A | 5.8 A |
| Starting (surge) | 2,800 W | 23 A | 12 A |
The startup surge lasts a fraction of a second — it matters for generator sizing and breaker trip curves, not for your electric bill.
Breaker and circuit for a shop vac
At 12 A, a shop vac 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).
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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