113 Volts: Is It Too Low?
Last reviewed on 1 October 2026.
113 V at a North American outlet is low but normally acceptable: it is 5.8% below the 120 V nominal and above the roughly 110 V minimum that the ANSI C84.1 standard allows at the point of use. Measured at the meter (service entrance), though, the normal range starts at 114 V, so a steady 113 V there is slightly low and worth reporting to your utility. Appliances will work; heaters give about 11% less heat.
Electrical safety
113 V is ordinary mains voltage and can kill. This page is general information only. Switch off the circuit before touching wiring and use a licensed electrician for any electrical work.
Is 113 V Within the Standard? (ANSI C84.1)
In the US, ANSI C84.1 sets voltage ranges for 120 V systems. Range A is the normal design range; Range B allows occasional excursions that the utility should correct.
| Where measured | Range A (normal) | Range B (tolerable, occasional) | Is 113 V OK? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service entrance (meter) | 114–126 V (±5%) | 110–127 V | Slightly below Range A, within Range B |
| Utilization (outlet / equipment) | about 110–126 V | about 106–127 V | Yes, within Range A |
Minimum utilization voltages are a little lower (about 108 V in Range A) on circuits that do not supply lighting. Your utility's own tariff may state its exact service range.
Put simply: a reading of 113 V at a wall outlet, especially with appliances running, is within the normal allowance because some voltage is always lost in the building wiring. A reading of 113 V at the meter with little load in the house means the supply itself is on the low side.
How to Check Your Voltage Properly
- Measure with no big loads running using a multimeter set to AC volts or a plug-in voltage monitor.
- Measure again with a large load on (for example a 1,500 W heater or kettle on the same circuit). A drop of a few volts is normal.
- Compare outlets on different circuits. One low circuit points to wiring; every outlet low points to the supply.
- Log it over a day. Voltage often dips at peak demand times and recovers overnight.
As a guide, the US National Electrical Code's informational notes suggest designing for no more than 3% voltage drop on a branch circuit and 5% overall. A much bigger drop under load suggests undersized wire or a poor connection.
Why You Might Read 113 V
- Voltage drop in wiring: long runs or thin wire between the panel and the outlet.
- Heavy load: large appliances running on the same circuit, or high demand in the neighbourhood.
- Supply setting: the utility transformer or regulator may be delivering the low end of the range.
- Loose or corroded connections: at outlets, splices, the panel or the neutral. These cause drops that worsen under load and can overheat, so they need an electrician.
What 113 V Does to Appliances
| Type of device | Effect at 113 V vs 120 V |
|---|---|
| Resistive heaters, kettles, toasters, incandescent bulbs | Power falls with voltage squared: (113/120)² = 0.887, so about 11.3% less heat or light. A 1,500 W heater gives about 1,330 W. |
| Motors (fridges, AC compressors, pumps) | Usually fine; under load they draw a little more current and run slightly warmer. Very low voltage can stop compressors starting. |
| Electronics with switch-mode supplies (phones, laptops, TVs, LED lamps) | No noticeable effect; most accept anything from about 100 to 240 V. |
113 V Power Calculations
Formulas: P = V × I, I = V ÷ R, P = V² ÷ R.
- 1 A at 113 V = 113 W
- A 15 A circuit at 113 V can carry up to 1,695 W (2,260 W on a 20 A circuit)
- A 100 Ω resistive load at 113 V uses 127.7 W (144 W at 120 V)
- A device that needs a constant 1,200 W draws 10.6 A at 113 V instead of 10.0 A at 120 V
113 Volts Power Calculator
Calculate power, current or resistance at 113 volts:
Power = ? watts
113 V Around the World
| System | Nominal voltage | What 113 V means |
|---|---|---|
| US, Canada, Mexico (household) | 120 V, 60 Hz | 5.8% low; normally acceptable at the outlet |
| Japan | 100 V (50 Hz east, 60 Hz west) | 13% high; above Japan's usual tolerance |
| Europe, UK, most of Asia, Africa, Australia | 230 V, 50 Hz | Less than half of nominal: a fault, or a 115 V site/tool supply |
"110 V" and "115 V" are older or informal names for the same North American 120 V supply, so a device labelled 110 V, 115 V or 120 V will run normally at 113 V.
Is 113 Volts Dangerous?
Yes. Voltages above the 50 V AC extra-low-voltage limit can drive harmful current through the body. How much depends on resistance: with wet skin it can be around 1,000 Ω, which at 113 V allows about 113 mA.
| Approximate current (60 Hz AC) | Typical effect |
|---|---|
| about 1 mA | Barely perceptible tingle |
| about 5 mA | Noticeable shock; GFCI outlets trip at around this level |
| about 6–30 mA | Painful; may be unable to let go |
| about 50–150 mA | Severe pain, breathing can stop, ventricular fibrillation and death possible |
| about 1 A and above | Ventricular fibrillation likely, severe burns |
Effects vary with current path, duration and the person. Use GFCI protection in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 113 volts too low for a 120 V outlet?
Usually not. 113 V is 5.8% below the 120 V nominal. ANSI C84.1 allows about 110 V at the equipment (outlet) in its normal Range A, so 113 V at an outlet is acceptable. At the service entrance (the meter), Range A starts at 114 V, so a steady 113 V there is slightly low and worth reporting to your utility.
Can I use a 120 V appliance at 113 V?
Yes. Most 120 V appliances are designed to work across the ANSI range. Heaters, kettles and toasters deliver about 11% less heat at 113 V, motors run with slightly less torque and draw a little more current under load, and electronics with switch-mode power supplies are unaffected.
When should I worry about low voltage?
Call your utility or a licensed electrician if outlets read below about 110 V, if voltage drops sharply when a large appliance starts, if lights flicker or dim, or if outlets, plugs or the panel feel warm or smell hot. Large drops under load can point to a loose or corroded connection, which is a fire risk.
Is 113 volts dangerous?
Yes. 113 V is ordinary mains voltage and can cause a fatal shock. With wet skin the body's resistance can be around 1,000 ohms, which at 113 V would allow about 113 mA, enough to cause ventricular fibrillation. Always switch off the circuit before working on it.