Kilowatts to Amps Conversion Calculator

How to Convert Kilowatts (kW) to Amps

Converting kilowatts (kW) to amperes (amps) is a common task in electrical engineering and power system analysis. This process involves understanding the relationship between electrical power, voltage, and current.

Conversion Formula

The formula to convert kW to amps depends on whether the system is DC, single-phase AC, or three-phase AC:

DC and Single-Phase AC:

\[I = \frac{P \times 1000}{V \times PF}\]

Three-Phase AC:

\[I = \frac{P \times 1000}{V \times PF \times \sqrt{3}}\]

Where:

• I is the current in amperes (A)
• P is the power in kilowatts (kW)
• V is the voltage in volts (V)
• PF is the power factor (for DC, PF = 1)

Calculation Steps

1. Determine if the system is DC, single-phase AC, or three-phase AC
2. Identify the power (P) in kilowatts
3. Determine the voltage (V) of the system
4. Identify the power factor (PF) if applicable
5. Apply the appropriate formula based on the system type
6. Perform the calculation to get the result in amps

Example Calculation

Let's convert 37.41 kW to amps for a three-phase AC system at 480 volts with a power factor of 0.9:

• Power (P): 37.41 kW
• Voltage (V): 480 V
• Power Factor (PF): 0.9
• System: Three-phase AC

1. Apply the three-phase AC formula: \[I = \frac{P \times 1000}{V \times PF \times \sqrt{3}}\]
2. Substitute the values: \[I = \frac{37.41 \text{ kW} \times 1000}{480 \text{ V} \times 0.9 \times \sqrt{3}}\]
3. Calculate: \[I = \frac{37410}{480 \times 0.9 \times 1.732} \approx 50 \text{ A}\]

Therefore, 37.41 kW in this three-phase AC system at 480 volts with a power factor of 0.9 is equivalent to approximately 50 amps.

Conversion Visualization

This bar chart visually compares 37.41 kW to its equivalent of 50 A. The chart illustrates how power (kW) relates to electrical current (amps) in this specific three-phase AC system example.