kVA to kW Converter
Convert kilovolt-amperes (kVA) to kilowatts (kW) using the power factor. The formula is kW = kVA × Power Factor. This conversion is critical for electrical system design, generator sizing, and understanding the difference between apparent and real power.
How to Convert kVA to kW
- Determine the apparent power in kVA.
- Determine the power factor (typically 0.8 for general loads).
- Multiply kVA by the power factor to get kW.
Formula
kW = kVA × Power Factor
P = S × PF
Where P is real power (kW), S is apparent power (kVA), and PF is the power factor (0 to 1).
Example Calculation
A 10 kVA generator with 0.8 power factor:
Real Power = 10 kVA × 0.8 = 8 kW
A 100 kVA transformer at 0.85 PF:
Real Power = 100 kVA × 0.85 = 85 kW
kVA to kW Reference Table
| kVA | PF 0.7 | PF 0.8 | PF 0.85 | PF 0.9 | PF 1.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kVA | 3.50 kW | 4.00 kW | 4.25 kW | 4.50 kW | 5.00 kW |
| 10 kVA | 7.00 kW | 8.00 kW | 8.50 kW | 9.00 kW | 10.00 kW |
| 15 kVA | 10.50 kW | 12.00 kW | 12.75 kW | 13.50 kW | 15.00 kW |
| 20 kVA | 14.00 kW | 16.00 kW | 17.00 kW | 18.00 kW | 20.00 kW |
| 30 kVA | 21.00 kW | 24.00 kW | 25.50 kW | 27.00 kW | 30.00 kW |
| 50 kVA | 35.00 kW | 40.00 kW | 42.50 kW | 45.00 kW | 50.00 kW |
| 100 kVA | 70.00 kW | 80.00 kW | 85.00 kW | 90.00 kW | 100.00 kW |
| 500 kVA | 350.00 kW | 400.00 kW | 425.00 kW | 450.00 kW | 500.00 kW |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kVA?
kVA (kilovolt-ampere) is a unit of apparent power in an AC circuit. It represents the total power flowing in the circuit, including both useful (real) and wasted (reactive) power.
What is power factor?
Power factor is the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA). It ranges from 0 to 1, where 1 means all power is used effectively. Most industrial loads have a PF of 0.7-0.9.
What is the difference between kVA and kW?
kVA is apparent power (what the utility delivers), while kW is real power (what actually does work). The difference is reactive power, which oscillates between source and load without doing useful work.
What are typical power factors for common loads?
Resistive loads (heaters): PF = 1.0. Fluorescent lighting: PF = 0.5-0.9. Motors: PF = 0.7-0.85. Computers: PF = 0.6-0.75. Power factor corrected equipment: PF = 0.95-0.99.
How can I improve power factor?
Install power factor correction capacitors, use synchronous motors, avoid running motors at no-load, and choose equipment with built-in PFC. Improving PF reduces electricity costs and increases system capacity.