Kilowatts to Amps Calculator
Convert power in kilowatts (kW) to electrical current in amperes (A). Ideal for understanding the current requirements of electrical systems and equipment. Obtain an estimation of amperes from kilowatts using this practical online tool.
What is Kilowatts to Amps Calculator
Converting kilowatts (kW) to amps (A) requires knowledge of the voltage (V) at which the electrical device operates and the power factor (PF) of the load. The formula for converting kilowatts to amps is:
Amps (A) = (kW x 1000) / (V x PF)
To use this formula, multiply the power in kilowatts by 1000 and divide the result by the product of the voltage (V) and power factor (PF).
For example, if you have a load with a power consumption of 7 kW, operating at 240 volts with a power factor of 0.9, you can calculate the amperage as follows:
Amps (A) = (7 kW x 1000) / (240 V x 0.9) Amps (A) ≈ 30.8 A
In this example, the load has an approximate amperage of 30.8 amps.
Please note that the power factor (PF) is an important consideration, as it represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. If the power factor is not provided, it is common to assume a power factor of 1 (unity) for resistive loads or refer to the specifications of the specific device or system to obtain accurate power factor values.
DC kilowatts to amps calculation
The current I in amps (A) is equal to 1000 times the power P in kilowatts (kW), divided by the voltage V in volts (V):
AC single phase kilowatts to amps calculation
The phase current I in amps (A) is equal to 1000 times the power P in kilowatts (kW), divided by the power factor PF times the RMS voltage V in volts (V):
AC three phase kilowatts to amps calculation
Calculation with line to line voltage
The phase current I in amps (A) is equal to 1000 times the power P in kilowatts (kW), divided by square root of 3 times the power factor PF times the line to line RMS voltage VL-L in volts (V):
Calculation with line to neutral voltage
The phase current I in amps (A) is equal to 1000 times the power P in kilowatts (kW), divided by 3 times the power factor PF times the line to neutral RMS voltage VL-N in volts (V):
Typical power factor values
Do not use typical power factor values for accurate calculations.
| Device | Typical power factor |
|---|---|
| Resistive load | 1 |
| Fluorescent lamp | 0.95 |
| Incandescent lamp | 1 |
| Induction motor full load | 0.85 |
| Induction motor no load | 0.35 |
| Resistive oven | 1 |
| Synchronous motor | 0.9 |
Kilowatts to Amps Calculator Example
To convert kilowatts (kW) to amps (A), you need to know the voltage (V) of the electrical system and the power factor (PF). The formula to calculate amps from kilowatts, voltage, and power factor is:
Amps (A) = (kW * 1000) / (V * PF)
Here's an example that demonstrates the calculation:
Let's assume you have a power factor of 0.9, a system voltage of 240 volts, and a kilowatt rating of 5 kW.
Amps (A) = (5 kW * 1000) / (240 V * 0.9) ≈ 27.78 A
Therefore, the amperage corresponding to a 5 kW rating with a power factor of 0.9 and a system voltage of 240 volts would be approximately 27.78 amps.
Please note that the power factor plays a significant role in this conversion as it represents the efficiency or quality of the electrical system. This calculation assumes a purely resistive load, and for different types of loads (such as inductive or capacitive), the power factor may vary, affecting the current calculation.
