5 kW to amps
On a 208 V three-phase system, 5 kW draws 13.88 amps; at 480 V it draws 6.01 amps, and on 240 V single phase 20.83 amps at a power factor of 1.
5 kW to amps at common voltages
| Voltage | Amps, A | Breaker, continuous load, A |
|---|---|---|
| 240 V single phase | 20.83 | 30 |
| 208 V three phase | 13.88 | 20 |
| 240 V three phase | 12.03 | 20 |
| 480 V three phase | 6.01 | 15 |
How to convert 5 kW to amps
On a three-phase system, amps = kW × 1,000 ÷ (1.732 × volts × power factor): 5 kW × 1,000 ÷ (1.732 × 208 V × 1) = 13.88 A per line. At a power factor of 0.8, the same 5 kW draws 17.35 A. On single phase, amps = kW × 1,000 ÷ (volts × power factor): 5 kW × 1,000 ÷ 240 V = 20.83 A at a power factor of 1.
The breaker column assumes a continuous load, sized at 125% of the current, and rounds up to the next standard breaker. Transformers and generators have their own protection rules; follow the nameplate.
Nearby values
| kW | 208 V three phase, A | 480 V three phase, A |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 13.88 | 6.01 |
| 10 | 27.76 | 12.03 |
| 20 | 55.51 | 24.06 |
| 50 | 138.79 | 60.14 |
| 100 | 277.57 | 120.28 |
kW to amps calculator
Full-load current on each line. Size breakers and conductors from the nameplate and the code, not from this figure alone.
- Current per line
- 13.88 A
- Breaker at 125% (continuous)
- 20 A
How it is calculated
- Amps = 5 kW × 1,000 ÷ (208 V × √3 × 1) = 13.88