How Many Amps Is 1.5 kVA at 240V?

A load with an apparent power of 1.5 kVA at 240V draws 6.25 amps (single-phase). Generators, UPS systems, and transformers publish kVA ratings because the circuit current on the output is set by apparent power, not by the load's real-power draw. This conversion gives you the apparent-power current so you can size breakers and wiring.

1.5 kVA equals 6.25 amps at 240 volts (single-phase)

6.25 Amps

Try: 1kVA at 240V 2kVA at 240V 3kVA at 240V 5kVA at 240V

kVA

Volts

Amps (1Φ)

6.25

Assumes a single-phase AC circuit at the input voltage. kVA is apparent power, so no power factor term is involved.

Formulas

Single Phase

I_(A) = (kVA × 1000) ÷ V

(1.5 × 1000) ÷ 240 = 1,500 ÷ 240 = 6.25 A

Three Phase (240V Line-to-Line)

I_(A) = (kVA × 1000) ÷ (V_L-L × √3)

1,500 ÷ (240 × 1.732) = 1,500 ÷ 415.68 = 3.61 A

Applies to 240V delta (uncommon, high-leg delta) systems where 240V is the line-to-line voltage.

Generator & UPS Sizing

Load-Side Real Power by Power Factor

A load with an apparent power of 1.5 kVA draws different amounts of real power depending on the load's own power factor. The table below is a load-side conversion, not a forecast of what a generator or UPS will output for that load: generators and UPS units publish their own independent kW rating set by the engine or inverter design, and that rating is often lower than kVA × the load's PF.

Load Type	Load PF	Load Real Power (kW)	Current at 240V
Resistive (heaters, lights)	1.0	1.5 kW	6.25 A
Mixed typical	0.85	1.28 kW	6.25 A
Motors/HVAC	0.80	1.2 kW	6.25 A
Computers/servers (no PFC)	0.65	0.975 kW	6.25 A

Note: current draw stays the same across the rows because kVA sets the current, not the load's power factor. PF only affects how much real work (kW) the load does per amp drawn.

Sizing a load against a source. If you are feeding this load from a UPS, generator, or transformer, check the load against both the source's kVA rating AND the source's kW rating. Those are two independent numbers published by the manufacturer. A 10 kVA / 8 kW generator, for example, can supply up to 10 kVA of apparent power AND up to 8 kW of real power, whichever limit is reached first. Do not use the kW figures above as a substitute for the source's published kW rating.

Circuit Sizing: Starting Points

The numbers below are rough order-of-magnitude starting points under typical assumptions (copper conductors, 75°C terminations, short run, no ambient or bundling derates, non-continuous duty). They are not install specs. Actual breaker and wire selection depends on the equipment nameplate, conductor and termination temperature ratings, cable type, run length and voltage-drop target, ambient and bundling conditions, whether the load is continuous, any NEC 430/440 motor or HVAC provisions, and local code.

	Single Phase	Three Phase
Current draw (at full kVA)	6.25 A	3.61 A
Ballpark branch OCP	~15A	~15A

For a real install, run the full wire-size calculator with your actual run length, voltage, and drop target, and verify breaker selection against the equipment nameplate and local code.

Energy Cost at Full Load

A load with an apparent power of 1.5 kVA at load PF 0.85 draws 1.28 kW of real power. Running cost at that draw: $0.22/hour at $0.17/kWh (rates last reviewed April 2026), or $52.02/month (8h/day). Full breakdown.

kW Equivalent

1.5 kVA at PF 0.85 = 1.28 kW. See 1.28 kW to amps at 240V.

Other kVA Ratings at 240V

kVA	Single Phase Amps	Three Phase Amps (L-L, per line)	Real Power (PF 0.8)
1 kVA	4.17 A	2.41 A	0.8 kW
2 kVA	8.33 A	4.81 A	1.6 kW
3 kVA	12.5 A	7.22 A	2.4 kW
5 kVA	20.83 A	12.03 A	4 kW
7.5 kVA	31.25 A	18.04 A	6 kW
10 kVA	41.67 A	24.06 A	8 kW
15 kVA	62.5 A	36.08 A	12 kW
20 kVA	83.33 A	48.11 A	16 kW
25 kVA	104.17 A	60.14 A	20 kW
30 kVA	125 A	72.17 A	24 kW
40 kVA	166.67 A	96.23 A	32 kW
50 kVA	208.33 A	120.28 A	40 kW

Frequently Asked Questions

How many amps is 1.5 kVA at 240V?expand_more

1.5 kVA at 240V is 6.25 amps on a single-phase circuit. 240V is primarily a single-phase voltage: US split-phase residential (two hot legs from a 240V center-tapped transformer) and 240V light-commercial are both single-phase. Open-delta 240V three-phase exists in some older industrial installations, and the formula and table sections below include it as a reference column, but the primary answer on this page is the single-phase figure.

What size generator do I need for my loads?expand_more

Generator sizing is not a single-formula calculation. A rough napkin pass is: add up the steady-state watts of everything you plan to run, divide by a planning power factor (often 0.8 but not universal), and add margin. Then cross-check the result against the generator's published kW rating, which is a separate manufacturer spec set by the engine (prime mover) and is not derived from the generator's kVA rating by any formula. The caveats that matter for a real install: motor and compressor inrush can be several times steady-state current, load diversity and sequencing affect peak demand, voltage-dip tolerance of sensitive equipment limits how much motor load a given genset can start, and altitude and ambient temperature both derate output. A load with an apparent power of 1.5 kVA at PF 0.8 has a real-power draw of 1.2 kW, but that number alone is not sufficient to size a generator for a real installation.

Why are UPS and generators rated in kVA not kW?expand_more

Because the current on the output (and therefore the conductor, switchgear, and winding sizing) is set by apparent power, kVA = V×I, regardless of the load's power factor. UPS and generator manufacturers publish a separate kW rating in addition to the kVA rating, set by the inverter or engine design, and it is often lower than the kVA rating. You cannot derive a UPS or generator's kW output from its kVA rating and the load's power factor: the two ratings are independent specs and a load has to fit under each of them when sizing against the source.

What is the difference between kVA and kW?expand_more

kVA is apparent power (V×I), which sets the current on the circuit and the sizing of conductors, breakers, and windings. kW is real power (the portion that does useful work), equal to kVA×load PF. A load with an apparent power of 1.5 kVA at load PF 0.8 draws 1.2 kW of real power. For a source such as a generator or UPS, kVA and kW are two independent manufacturer ratings, not two views of the same spec, and both have to be checked when sizing a load.

Can a 1.5 kVA generator run my whole house?expand_more

A 1.5 kVA unit typically covers essentials (refrigerator, lights, phone and laptop chargers, a furnace blower) but not central AC, electric resistance heat, or an electric range running at the same time. Real capacity depends on simultaneous load, motor starting current, and manual or automatic load shedding.

This calculator provides estimates for reference purposes only. Always consult a licensed electrician and verify compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes before performing any electrical work.