5000 watts to amps
5,000 watts is 41.67 amps at 120 volts and 20.83 amps at 240 volts, at a power factor of 1.
5000 watts to amps at common voltages
| Voltage | Amps, A |
|---|---|
| 12 V DC | 416.67 |
| 24 V DC | 208.33 |
| 120 V | 41.67 |
| 240 V | 20.83 |
| 208 V three phase | 13.88 |
| 480 V three phase | 6.01 |
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 5000 watts to amps
Amps = watts ÷ volts: 5,000 W ÷ 120 V = 41.67 A, and 5,000 W ÷ 240 V = 20.83 A. On three phase, amps = watts ÷ (1.732 × volts): 5,000 W ÷ (1.732 × 208 V) = 13.88 A per line. At a power factor of 0.8, 5,000 W at 120 V draws 52.08 A.
How much of a 15 or 20 amp circuit 5,000 watts uses
On 120 V, 5,000 watts is more than a 15 or 20 amp circuit can carry: run it on 240 V or a larger dedicated circuit. As a continuous load, 41.67 A at 120 V needs at least a 60 amp breaker, and 20.83 A at 240 V needs a 30 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 5,000 watts
Watts to amps calculator
1 for heaters and lights; motors and electronics 0.8–0.95
- Power
- 5,000 W
- Voltage
- 120 V
- Share of a 15 A circuit at this voltage
- 278%
How it is calculated
- Amps = 5,000 ÷ (120) = 41.67