How Many LED Lights Can I Put on One Circuit?

Despite LED light bulbs being the most efficient light source available using way less power than incandescent light, it is still important to calculate how many LED lights can be safely used on a lighting circuit.

The number of LED lights that can be installed on a single circuit requires two simple calculations.

You need to know following information:

1. Amps: What is the amperage of the circuit you are installing lights on, typically 5 Amps.
2. Volts: In the USA it’s 120 volts, EU and Australia 230 volts.
3. Wattage: What is the wattage of the LED bulb or each LED source?

Calculate Circuit Capacity

To determine the total wattage of lights that can be accommodated, use the formula:

watts (power available to be used) = Volts (voltage of the lighting circuit) x Amps (capacity of the circuit breaker)

For example in the USA using a 5 Amp circuit,

Total capacity = 120V*5A = 600 Watts

Calculate How Many LED Lights

Then to estimate how many LED lights can be safely installed on a single circuit, check the wattage of your bulb and use the formula:

Number of LED lights = Maximum circuit wattage / LED Watts rating

A 60W incandescent bulb equivalent in an LED bulb is rated at 8.2W

600W/8.2W = 73

Therefore, a 120V 5A circuit can accommodate up to 73 8.2W LED bulbs.

Adopt Good Practise

However, even though it is unlikely so many bulbs would be used on such a circuit, a derating of 80% should be used to ensure the circuit is run under maximum capacity.

Therefore, the number of LED bulbs is reduced to 58

Always check the circuit breaker is off when installing new light fixtures to avoid hot wiring LED components and even potential electrocution.

If you are using other types of light source, we look at how many lights can I use on a 15 amp circuit.

Andrew Orange, the owner of Orange Lighting qualified and worked as an interior designer in 1993 before specialising in lighting working on high profile projects based in London. Since starting Orange Lighting Ltd in 2003 he has been sharing his knowledge and unique teaching style mostly to his designer clients, offering practical real life advice born from running a busy consultancy and lighting supply business. Launching in 2020, his blog has evolved into Quick & Easy Lighting, curating some 25 years design experience into making the lighting choice and design process achievable and easy to understand for all.