TV has become a necessity in every household today. Whether you are a movie buff, a cricket fanatic or you tune in to cartoon channels for your kids – TV is a part of everyone’s preference. But have you ever noticed how much electricity is actually used to run a TV? People often ask – how many amps does a TV use? That is, how many amps does a TV consume? This question becomes even more important when you are planning an inverter, solar system or battery for your home, or thinking of ways to reduce your electricity bill. With the right information, you can not only save electricity, but also increase the safety and convenience of your home.
What is the meaning of TV ampere?
Ampere or AMP is the unit of electricity that shows how much current a device is drawing. In simple words, the more the ampere, the more the power consumption. In the case of TV, it is important to know how many amps does a TV use so that you can choose the right size of inverter, battery or solar panel. Not only this, if there is frequent power cut in your house and you are planning for backup, then correct information about TV ampere helps you in taking better decisions. With this you can also take care of the wiring and safety of your house.
How Many Amps Does a TV Use
A typical TV can draw current from 0.25 to 2.0 amps. Smaller TVs, such as 32-inch LED models, can draw just 0.16 amps (at 110 volts), while larger and high-end TVs can draw 2 amps or more. These figures give you a basic idea of how many amps different sizes of TVs can draw.
If you are thinking of buying a larger TV, keep in mind that their power consumption will also be higher. On the other hand, smaller TVs draw less current, which saves electricity and also provides a longer battery backup.
Many times TVs also have smart features, built-in sound systems, Wi-Fi and internet connectivity, which can increase their current consumption. Therefore, while buying a TV, do not just look at its size, but also its power rating and features.
Ampere according to the size of the TV
| TV Size | Amperes (Approximate) |
| 32 inches and below | 0.16 – 0.5 |
| 40–55 inches | 0.42 – 1.25 |
| 60 inches and above | 1.67 – 3.33 or more |
From these figures, you can estimate how many amperes your home’s TV consumes on average. This makes it easy to decide the capacity of the inverter or solar system.
Effect of TV technology
The technology of the TV, such as LED, LCD, OLED, QLED, CRT or Plasma, has a direct effect on its power consumption and amperes.
- LED/LCD TVs: These are considered to be the most energy saving and take current between 0.25 to 1.25 amperes. LED TVs have backlighting technology, which reduces power consumption.
- OLED/QLED TVs: These also take less power, on an average 0.4 to 1.66 amperes. In these TVs, every pixel gives light on its own, which gives excellent color and brightness, but also keeps the power consumption under control.
- CRT/Plasma TVs: These are old models, which can take from 1 to 4.2 amperes. These TVs have heavy transformers and cathode ray tubes, which draw more current. That is why nowadays people prefer LED or OLED TVs instead of them.
If you want to save electricity, always choose TVs with new technology as they consume less amperes and also last longer.
Factors affecting the amperage of a TV
How many amperes a TV draws depends on several factors:
- Screen size: The bigger the screen, the more amperes. TVs smaller than 32 inches draw less current, while TVs 55 inches or larger draw more current.
- Brightness and volume: If you keep the brightness or volume of the TV high, the current consumption also increases. The TV draws less amperes at low brightness.
- Smart features: Wi-Fi, apps, built-in sound system, gaming features, etc. can increase amperes. Power consumption also increases when internet connectivity and streaming apps are run on smart TVs.
- Technology: LED, OLED, QLED, Plasma or CRT – each technology has a different ampere. TVs with new technology save electricity.
- Age of the TV: Older TVs often draw more current because their technology is old and they are less efficient.
By keeping all these things in mind, you can reduce the power consumption of your TV and also keep the electricity bill under control.
How to find out the amperage of a TV?
If you want to know what the amperage of your TV is, try these steps:
- Look at the label on the back or side of the TV.
- Every TV has a label or sticker on the back that states the voltage (V) and watts (W).
- Note the voltage (V) and watts (W).
- These two values can be used to calculate amperes.
- Apply the formula:
- Ampere = Watt ÷ Volt
- Example: A 100-watt TV runs on 220 volts, so 100 ÷ 220 = 0.45 amps.
In this way, you can easily understand the power consumption of your TV and plan the power backup or solar system as per your need.
Ampere according to different sizes and technology of TV
| TV Type | Power (Watts) | Amperes (A) |
| 32″ LED | 30–55 | 0.16 – 0.5 |
| 40–55″ LED/LCD | 50–180 | 0.42 – 1.25 |
| 60″+ LED/LCD | 90–200 | 1.67 – 2.08 |
| 32″ CRT | 150–200 | 1.2 – 1.7 |
| Plasma (50–60″) | 150–500 | 1.25 – 4.2 |
| OLED/QLED | 50–200 | 0.4 – 1.66 |
With this table you can compare the amperes of different TVs and choose the most suitable TV for you. This information is especially useful when you are thinking of buying a new TV or taking measures to save electricity at home.
Benefits of knowing the ampere of TV
- For inverter or battery: If there is frequent power outage in your house and you want to install an inverter or battery, then it is important to know the ampere of the TV. With this, you can choose an inverter or battery with the right capacity, so that the power backup will last longer.
- Solar system planning: The information about the ampere of the TV is also important in deciding the capacity of the solar panel. With this, you can protect your solar system from overloading and save electricity.
- Electricity savings: A TV that consumes less amperes reduces the electricity bill. If you replace the old CRT or Plasma TV with a new LED or OLED TV, then the power consumption will be reduced significantly.
- Safety: There is protection from current overloading. If you know how many amperes all the devices in your house consume, then you can take care of the wiring and safety of your house.
Easy tips to reduce the amperes of TV
- Keep the brightness and volume as per the requirement:
- The lower the brightness and volume of the TV, the less electricity it will consume.
- Do not leave the TV in standby mode, turn it off completely:
- The TV consumes some current even in standby mode, so remove the plug when not in use.
- While buying a new TV, definitely check the energy rating:
- Always buy TVs with 5 stars or higher energy efficiency.
- Choose LED/OLED TV instead of old CRT or Plasma TV:
- TVs with new technology consume less current and save electricity.
- Use smart features as per requirement:
- If you do not need smart features, keep them off so that electricity is saved.
Now you know how many amps a TV uses – the answer depends on the size, technology and features of the TV. A typical TV can draw from 0.25 to 2.0 amps, with smaller TVs drawing less and larger TVs drawing more amps. LED, OLED and QLED TVs draw less power, while older CRT and Plasma TVs draw more current.
If you need to know the exact amps of your TV, look at the label on the back of the TV or in the manual, or calculate it yourself using the formula given above. This will help you make smart decisions in saving electricity, inverter-solar planning and choosing the right TV.
