How Many Ceiling Fans Can You Run On A 20 Amp Circuit?

Did you know that the number of ceiling fans you can run on a single 20-amp circuit is limited?

To be honest, the answer completely depends on the electrical requirements and rating of the ceiling fans which you wish to use. But in general, in a 20 Amp circuit, you can connect a maximum number of 25 fans. 

But for safety purposes, it is recommended to connect about 20 ceiling fans under a 20 Amp circuit breaker.

This article will discuss the number of ceiling fans you can run on a 20-amp circuit based on the basic safety measures, as well as the proper way to install them.

How Many Ceiling Fans Can You Run on A 20 Amp Circuit?

In short, you can run a maximum of 27 fans where the fans have a wattage of 80-90 watts and a unity power factor for the power supply.

In practice, the power factor is not unity, but close to unity. In such a case, in a 20-amp circuit, 25 fans fit well.

While designing a circuit, the amount of load to be handled by a circuit breaker is set at 80% of the rated capacity of the breaker.

So, you may run 25 fans in a 20-amp circuit but you should actually connect a total of not more than 20 fans for such a circuit.

I am going to break down the calculations, otherwise, I am sure you are going through a tough time trying to understand how I am doing things here.

Calculation Procedure:

First of all, you need to identify some important factors of the circuit and power supply. Like:

• The rated voltage
• Rated current
• Power factor
• The wattage of a ceiling fan
• Safety factor: use 80% of the load capacity of the breaker

Let’s take the rated voltage of America, which is 120 Volts. The rated current is 20 Amp, according to the topic of the article. The power factor is a varying factor.

The average power factor in America is said to be between 0.85 to 0.95. So, let’s take 0.90 as the power factor for our calculation. And the wattage of a ceiling fan is 85 watts. All set, now move to the calculation.

The first thing you need to calculate is the maximum watt that the circuit breaker can handle. It is going to be:

Max Power of Circuit Breaker= Voltage * Current * Power Factor

    = 120 * 20 * 0.90

    = 2160 Watts

So, the maximum number of fans that can be connected= 2160/85

    = 25 fans

    80% of the max power of CB= 2160 * 80%

    = 1728 Watts

So, the number of fans you should connect = 1728/85

    = 20 fans

This is how you can calculate the number of ceiling fans for a given rated current of a circuit breaker. This a very basic electrical calculation that can be used in many other calculations.

How Much Power Can A 20 Amp Circuit Handle?

Power is the product of current and voltage. So, a 20-amp circuit can handle a total power of 2400 VA, which is 2160 Watts in a 120 Volts system.

The total power can be found by multiplying the current and voltage of the circuit. The unit of this total power is Volt-Ampere (VA).

To find the wattage which is actually known as Real Power, you have to multiply the total power by the power factor which we assumed to be 0.9.

So, Real Power= 2400*0.9 = 2160 Watts.

This is the theoretical amount the circuit can handle if it is wired properly. You should know which wire to use for a specific circuit.

Even while wiring a fan you must know what gauge wire for a ceiling fan must be used to ensure its efficiency and safety.

While wiring you will face more curious things. You might then ask me where does the blue wire go in a ceiling fan? We will be talking about them another day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Multiple Ceiling Fans on a Single Circuit:

Installing multiple ceiling fans on a single circuit can be a cost-effective and efficient way to cool multiple rooms in your home, but it’s important to do it safely.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when installing multiple ceiling fans on a single circuit:

Overloading the circuit: 

It’s important to calculate the load capacity of the circuit before installing multiple ceiling fans. If the total wattage of the fans exceeds the circuit’s load capacity, it can cause the circuit to overload and potentially lead to a fire.

Using the wrong size wire: 

Using wire that is too small for the load can cause the wire to overheat and potentially start a fire. Make sure to use the correct size wire for the load of the ceiling fans.

Skipping the grounding wire: 

The grounding wire is an important safety feature that helps protect against electrical shocks. Make sure to include a grounding wire when installing multiple ceiling fans on a single circuit.

Neglecting to use a circuit breaker: 

A circuit breaker is a safety device that trips when the electrical current flowing through it exceeds a certain level. Make sure to use a circuit breaker when installing multiple ceiling fans to protect against electrical surges.

Not following proper installation procedures: 

It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and any local building codes when installing multiple ceiling fans. Improper installation can result in safety hazards and may void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Summary

Installing ceiling fans can be a great way to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer months. But it is important to understand how many ceiling fans you can safely run on a 20-amp circuit and how to properly install them.

With the information provided in this article, you should be able to make an informed decision about how many ceiling fans you can safely install in your home.