kVA to Amps Calculator
Work out the current an apparent power draws in amps. Enter a kVA rating with the system voltage and phase. kVA already accounts for the full load, so no power factor is needed.
When to use it
Generators are rated in kVA, but cables, busbars, and protection are sized in amps. Before a set goes to site, this converter shows the full load current at its rating, so you can confirm the trailing cable and the distribution board are rated for it. The example below uses a 2500 kVA set at 400 V, a common size on large UAE events and construction jobs.
How it is calculated
For three phase, amps = (kVA x 1000) / (1.732 x volts). For single phase, drop the 1.732.
A 2500 kVA load at 400 V three phase: amps = 2,500,000 / (1.732 x 400) = 3,608 A, or 3.61 kA.
Common conversions
| Apparent power (kVA) | Current (A) |
|---|---|
| 25 kVA | 36 A |
| 50 kVA | 72 A |
| 100 kVA | 144 A |
| 250 kVA | 361 A |
| 500 kVA | 722 A |
| 1000 kVA | 1,443 A |
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert kVA to amps?
Multiply the kVA by 1000, then divide by the voltage, and by 1.732 as well for three phase: amps = (kVA x 1000) / (1.732 x volts).
Does kVA to amps use power factor?
No. kVA is apparent power, the full current the supply carries, so the conversion to amps does not use power factor. Power factor only applies when you start from kW.
How do you convert kW to amps instead?
Convert kW to kVA first by dividing by the power factor, then use the same formula: amps = (kW x 1000) / (1.732 x volts x power factor) for three phase.
Why size cables from kVA to amps and not kW?
Cables and protection carry current, and current follows apparent power, not real power. Using kVA gives the full load current the conductor must handle, which is what you size to.
What current does a typical generator draw at the UAE voltage?
At 400 V three phase, full load current is about 1.44 A for every kVA of rating. So a 500 kVA set draws roughly 722 A, as shown in the table below.