2000 watts to amps
At 120 volts, 2,000 watts draws 16.67 amps; at 240 volts it draws 8.33 amps (power factor 1).
2000 watts to amps at common voltages
| Voltage | Amps, A |
|---|---|
| 12 V DC | 166.67 |
| 24 V DC | 83.33 |
| 120 V | 16.67 |
| 240 V | 8.33 |
| 208 V three phase | 5.55 |
| 480 V three phase | 2.41 |
The AC and three-phase rows assume a power factor of 1, as for heaters and incandescent lamps. Motors and electronics draw more current for the same watts.
How to convert 2000 watts to amps
Amps = watts ÷ volts: 2,000 W ÷ 120 V = 16.67 A, and 2,000 W ÷ 240 V = 8.33 A. On three phase, amps = watts ÷ (1.732 × volts): 2,000 W ÷ (1.732 × 208 V) = 5.55 A per line. At a power factor of 0.8, 2,000 W at 120 V draws 20.83 A.
How much of a 15 or 20 amp circuit 2,000 watts uses
On a 120 V circuit, 2,000 W (16.67 A) uses more than a 15 amp circuit can carry and 83% of a 20 amp circuit. A 2,000 W load that runs for three hours or more should stay within 80% of the circuit rating: 12 A on a 15 amp circuit and 16 A on a 20 amp circuit. As a continuous load, 16.67 A at 120 V needs at least a 25 amp breaker, and 8.33 A at 240 V needs a 15 amp breaker (125% of the current, rounded up to a standard size).
Nearby values
| Watts, W | 120 V, A | 240 V, A |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | 4.17 | 2.08 |
| 1,000 | 8.33 | 4.17 |
| 1,500 | 12.5 | 6.25 |
| 2,000 | 16.67 | 8.33 |
| 3,000 | 25 | 12.5 |
| 5,000 | 41.67 | 20.83 |
Appliances that draw about 2,000 watts
Watts to amps calculator
1 for heaters and lights; motors and electronics 0.8–0.95
- Power
- 2,000 W
- Voltage
- 120 V
- Share of a 15 A circuit at this voltage
- 111%
How it is calculated
- Amps = 2,000 ÷ (120) = 16.67