How to convert amps to kVA

How to convert electric current in amps (A) to apparent power in kilovolt-amps (kVA).

You can calculate kilovolt-amps from amps and volts, but you can't convert amps to kilovolt-amps since kilovolt-amps and amps units do not measure the same quantity.

Single phase amps to kVA calculation formula

The apparent power S in kilovolt-amps is equal to phase current I in amps, times the RMS voltage V in volts, divided by 1000:

S(kVA) = I(A) × V(V) / 1000

So kilovolt-amps are equal to amps times volts divided by 1000.

kilovolt-amps = amps × volts / 1000

or

kVA = A ⋅ V / 1000

Example

What is the apparent power in kVA when the phase current is 12A and the RMS voltage supply is 110V?

Solution:

S = 12A × 110V / 1000 = 1.32kVA

3 phase amps to kVA calculation formula

Calculation with line to line voltage

The apparent power S in kilovolt-amps (with balanced loads) is equal to square root of 3 times the phase current I in amps, times the line to line RMS voltage VL-L in volts, divided by 1000:

S(kVA) = 3 × I(A) × VL-L(V) / 1000

So kilovolt-amps are equal to 3 times amps times volts divided by 1000.

kilovolt-amps = 3 × amps × volts / 1000

or

kVA = 3 × A ⋅ V / 1000

Example

What is the apparent power in kVA when the phase current is 12A and the line to line RMS voltage supply is 190V?

Solution:

S = 3 × 12A × 190V / 1000 = 3.949kVA

 

Calculation with line to neutral voltage

The apparent power S in kilovolt-amps (with balanced loads) is equal to 3 times the phase current I in amps, times the line to neutral RMS voltage VL-N in volts, divided by 1000:

S(kVA) = 3 × I(A) × VL-N(V) / 1000

So kilovolt-amps are equal to 3 times amps times volts divided by 1000.

kilovolt-amps = 3 × amps × volts / 1000

or

kVA = 3 × A ⋅ V / 1000

Example

What is the apparent power in kVA when the phase current is 12A and the line to neutral RMS voltage supply is 120V?

Solution:

S = 3 × 12A × 120V / 1000 = 4.32kVA

 

How to convert kVA to amps ►

 


See also

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