How Many Amps Is 10 kVA at 240V?

A 10 kVA single-phase load at 240V draws 41.67 amps. Three-phase configurations are not typical at this voltage. At a load power factor of 0.8 the load's real-power draw is 8 kW (a generator or UPS feeding this load has a separate kW rating set by the manufacturer which must be checked independently against the kVA rating).

10 kVA equals 41.67 amps at 240 volts (single-phase)

41.67 Amps

Try: 7.5kVA at 240V 5kVA at 240V 15kVA at 240V 3kVA at 240V

kVA

Volts

Amps (1Φ)

41.67

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

(10 × 1000) ÷ 240 = 10,000 ÷ 240 = 41.67 A

Three Phase (240V Line-to-Line)

I_(A) = (kVA × 1000) ÷ (V_L-L × √3)

10,000 ÷ (240 × 1.732) = 10,000 ÷ 415.68 = 24.06 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 10 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	10 kW	41.67 A
Mixed typical	0.85	8.5 kW	41.67 A
Motors/HVAC	0.80	8 kW	41.67 A
Computers/servers (no PFC)	0.65	6.5 kW	41.67 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)	41.67 A	24.06 A
Ballpark branch OCP	~45A	~25A

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 10 kVA at load PF 0.85 draws 8.5 kW of real power. Running cost at that draw: $1.45/hour at $0.17/kWh (rates last reviewed April 2026), or $346.80/month (8h/day). Full breakdown.

kW Equivalent

10 kVA at PF 0.85 = 8.5 kW. See 8.5 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 10 kVA at 240V?expand_more

10 kVA at 240V is 41.67 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.

How much fuel does a 10 kVA generator use?expand_more

Fuel burn is set by the generator's specific-fuel-consumption curve, not a rule of thumb tied to the kVA rating. It varies sharply with fuel type (gasoline vs diesel vs natural gas vs propane), load percentage (partial-load efficiency is much worse than full-load), engine size and age, altitude, and ambient temperature. For a specific unit, check the manufacturer's fuel-consumption curve at your expected load percentage. Generic per-hour estimates from the kVA rating alone are not reliable enough to plan fuel capacity from.

Can a 10 kVA generator run my whole house?expand_more

A 10 kVA unit can cover most residential loads but often struggles with central AC plus other large appliances running simultaneously. Capacity depends on inrush from compressors and motors, load sequencing, and any transfer-switch load management. An electrician can run a load calc to confirm.

What size breaker would I need for 10 kVA at 240V?expand_more

This is a sizing question, not a conversion question, and there is no single answer from a page like this. Breaker selection depends on the equipment nameplate FLA, whether the load is continuous (NEC 210.19(A) applies the 125% continuous-load rule), conductor ampacity and termination temperature, any NEC 430/440 motor or HVAC provisions, and local code. The current draw on this page is the input to that sizing process, not the output. Verify against the equipment nameplate and a licensed electrician.

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.

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.