Loading Calculator...
Please wait a moment
Please wait a moment
Convert power in kilowatts (kW) to electrical current in amperes (A) for DC, single-phase AC, and three-phase AC circuits.
Typical values: 0.8 - 0.95 for most loads
Where A is current in amps, kW is power in kilowatts, and V is voltage in volts.
Where PF is the power factor, typically between 0.8 and 0.95 for most loads.
√3 ≈ 1.732. V is the line-to-line voltage in three-phase systems.
| Power (kW) | 12V | 24V | 48V | 120V |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 kW | 41.67 A | 20.83 A | 10.42 A | 4.17 A |
| 1 kW | 83.33 A | 41.67 A | 20.83 A | 8.33 A |
| 1.5 kW | 125.00 A | 62.50 A | 31.25 A | 12.50 A |
| 2 kW | 166.67 A | 83.33 A | 41.67 A | 16.67 A |
| 3 kW | 250.00 A | 125.00 A | 62.50 A | 25.00 A |
| 5 kW | 416.67 A | 208.33 A | 104.17 A | 41.67 A |
| 7.5 kW | 625.00 A | 312.50 A | 156.25 A | 62.50 A |
| 10 kW | 833.33 A | 416.67 A | 208.33 A | 83.33 A |
| Power (kW) | 120V | 208V | 240V | 480V |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 9.80 A | 5.66 A | 4.90 A | 2.45 A |
| 2 kW | 19.61 A | 11.32 A | 9.80 A | 4.90 A |
| 3 kW | 29.41 A | 16.98 A | 14.71 A | 7.35 A |
| 5 kW | 49.02 A | 28.30 A | 24.51 A | 12.25 A |
| 7.5 kW | 73.53 A | 42.45 A | 36.76 A | 18.38 A |
| 10 kW | 98.04 A | 56.60 A | 49.02 A | 24.51 A |
| 15 kW | 147.06 A | 84.90 A | 73.53 A | 36.76 A |
| 20 kW | 196.08 A | 113.20 A | 98.04 A | 49.02 A |
| 25 kW | 245.10 A | 141.50 A | 122.55 A | 61.27 A |
| 50 kW | 490.20 A | 283.01 A | 245.10 A | 122.55 A |
| Power (kW) | 208V | 240V | 480V |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 kW | 3.27 A | 2.83 A | 1.42 A |
| 2 kW | 6.54 A | 5.66 A | 2.83 A |
| 3 kW | 9.80 A | 8.49 A | 4.25 A |
| 5 kW | 16.34 A | 14.15 A | 7.08 A |
| 7.5 kW | 24.51 A | 21.23 A | 10.61 A |
| 10 kW | 32.68 A | 28.30 A | 14.15 A |
| 15 kW | 49.02 A | 42.45 A | 21.23 A |
| 20 kW | 65.36 A | 56.60 A | 28.30 A |
| 25 kW | 81.70 A | 70.76 A | 35.38 A |
| 30 kW | 98.04 A | 84.91 A | 42.45 A |
| 50 kW | 163.40 A | 141.51 A | 70.76 A |
| 75 kW | 245.10 A | 212.27 A | 106.14 A |
| 100 kW | 326.80 A | 283.02 A | 141.51 A |
Converting kilowatts (kW) to amperes (A) is the process of determining the electrical current drawn by a load when you know its power consumption. Kilowatts measure real power – the rate at which energy is consumed or produced – while amperes measure the flow of electric charge through a conductor. The conversion is essential because electrical infrastructure such as wires, breakers, and fuses are all rated in amps, not watts. The formula varies depending on the circuit type: DC circuits use a straightforward division, single-phase AC circuits require the power factor, and three-phase AC circuits include an additional √3 (1.732) factor to account for the three overlapping voltage phases. Accurately converting kW to amps ensures that conductors and protective devices are correctly sized, preventing overheating, nuisance tripping, and potential fire hazards in residential, commercial, and industrial installations.
Determine whether you are working with a DC circuit, single-phase AC circuit, or three-phase AC circuit. Each type uses a different formula because of how power is delivered.
You need the power in kilowatts and the voltage. For AC circuits, you also need the power factor (PF), which typically ranges from 0.80 to 0.95 for common loads like motors and lighting.
For DC: A = (kW × 1000) ÷ V. For single-phase AC: A = (kW × 1000) ÷ (V × PF). For three-phase AC: A = (kW × 1000) ÷ (√3 × V × PF).
Per the National Electrical Code (NEC), multiply continuous-load amps by 1.25 (125%) before selecting wire gauge and circuit breaker size. Choose the next standard breaker rating above your calculated value.
Correctly sizing wires and breakers based on amperage prevents overheating, short circuits, and electrical fires in buildings and equipment.
Engineers and electricians need amperage values to select transformers, switchgear, variable frequency drives, and motor control centers.
Accurate current calculations help avoid oversizing conductors, which wastes money, or undersizing them, which creates safety hazards and code violations.
| Appliance | Typical kW | Voltage | Approx. Amps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window AC Unit | 1.5 kW | 120V | 14.7 A |
| Electric Water Heater | 4.5 kW | 240V | 18.75 A |
| Electric Range / Oven | 10 kW | 240V | 41.67 A |
| Central AC (3-ton) | 3.5 kW | 240V | 17.16 A |
| Industrial Motor (3-phase) | 15 kW | 480V | 21.23 A |
| EV Charger (Level 2) | 7.2 kW | 240V | 30 A |
| Space Heater | 1.5 kW | 120V | 12.5 A |
At 120V single-phase with a 0.85 power factor, 1 kW equals about 9.8 amps. At 240V single-phase, it is approximately 4.9 amps. For a 12V DC circuit, 1 kW equals 83.33 amps. The amperage always depends on both the voltage and the circuit type.
kW measures real power (the power that actually performs work), while kVA measures apparent power (the total power supplied to the circuit). The relationship is kW = kVA × power factor. For purely resistive loads like heaters, kW and kVA are equal. For inductive loads like motors, kVA is always higher than kW.
This calculator provides the full-load running current. Motor starting current (inrush) is typically 5 to 8 times the full-load amperage for standard induction motors. Account for inrush current when sizing breakers, soft starters, and upstream protection devices.
Higher voltage results in lower current for the same power. A 10 kW load draws 83.3 amps at 120V but only 41.7 amps at 240V. This inverse relationship is why industrial systems use higher voltages – it reduces current, allowing smaller and less expensive conductors.
Three-phase systems distribute power across three conductors with overlapping voltage phases, delivering power more efficiently. The √3 factor (1.732) in the three-phase formula accounts for this, resulting in roughly 58% of the current that a single-phase system would draw for the same power and voltage.