20 kW to Amps
20 kW is 86.96 A at 230 V and 166.7 A at 120 V (single-phase, power factor 1). Table for DC and three-phase, power factor 0.8, and the formula.
Formula
Worked example
- I = 20 × 1,000 / (230 × 1) = 86.96 A
- With a power factor of 0.9: I = 20 × 1,000 / (230 × 0.9) = 96.62 A
On other supplies
| Supply | Voltage | Current at pf 1 | Current at pf 0.8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | 12 V | 1,667 A | not used |
| DC | 24 V | 833.3 A | not used |
| DC | 48 V | 416.7 A | not used |
| Single-phase | 120 V | 166.7 A | 208.3 A |
| Single-phase | 230 V | 86.96 A | 108.7 A |
| Single-phase | 240 V | 83.33 A | 104.2 A |
| Three-phase | 208 V | 55.51 A | 69.39 A |
| Three-phase | 400 V | 28.87 A | 36.08 A |
| Three-phase | 415 V | 27.82 A | 34.78 A |
| Three-phase | 480 V | 24.06 A | 30.07 A |
Three-phase rows use the line-to-line voltage. DC ignores the power factor.
What 20 kW looks like
20 kW is a motor of roughly 25 to 30 horsepower, or the load of a small workshop.
This is an estimate of the load current only. Choosing a cable or a breaker also needs the installation method, the ambient temperature, the voltage drop and the rules you work to.
Frequently asked questions
How many amps is 20 kilowatts?
20 kW is 86.96 A on a 230 V single-phase supply and 166.7 A on 120 V, both with a power factor of 1. The current depends on the voltage, so it is a different answer on every supply.
What if the power factor is not 1?
The current rises. At 230 V and a power factor of 0.9, 20 kW draws 96.62 A. Heaters and filament lamps are close to 1, while motors and many power supplies are lower.
What about a three-phase supply?
20 kW on 400 V three-phase at a power factor of 0.8 is 36.08 A. The line voltage is used with the factor √3 (about 1.732).
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