How Many Amps Is 10 kVA at 460V?

At 460V, a 10 kVA three-phase load draws 12.55 amps per line. kVA is apparent power, so the current is set by kVA and the voltage alone, without a power-factor term. The equivalent single-phase current at this voltage is 21.74 amps.

10 kVA equals 12.55 amps at 460 volts (three-phase, L-L)

12.55 Amps

Single Phase (460V)21.74 A

Try: 7.5kVA at 460V 5kVA at 460V 15kVA at 460V 3kVA at 460V

kVA

Volts

Amps (3Φ per line)

12.55

Assumes an AC three-phase line-to-line 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) ÷ 460 = 10,000 ÷ 460 = 21.74 A

Three Phase (460V Line-to-Line)

I_(A) = (kVA × 1000) ÷ (V_L-L × √3)

10,000 ÷ (460 × 1.732) = 10,000 ÷ 796.72 = 12.55 A

Single Phase vs Three Phase

The same 10 kVA unit draws very different current depending on the phase configuration:

Configuration	Formula	Current at 460V
Single Phase	10,000 ÷ 460	21.74 A
Three Phase (460V L-L)	10,000 ÷ (460 × √3)	12.55 A

For this specific case, 10 kVA at 460V, three-phase carries about 42.26% less current per line than single-phase at the same voltage. That gap tracks the 1 ÷ √3 factor for L-L three-phase (or 1 ÷ 3 for L-N), which is why three-phase distribution is common at commercial and industrial scale: the same apparent power rides on smaller conductors and smaller breakers.

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 460V (three-phase, per line)
Resistive (heaters, lights)	1.0	10 kW	12.55 A per line
Mixed typical	0.85	8.5 kW	12.55 A per line
Motors/HVAC	0.80	8 kW	12.55 A per line
Computers/servers (no PFC)	0.65	6.5 kW	12.55 A per line

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)	21.74 A	12.55 A
Ballpark branch OCP	~25A	~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 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 460V.

Other kVA Ratings at 460V

kVA	Three Phase Amps (L-L, per line)	Single Phase Amps	Real Power (PF 0.8)
1 kVA	1.26 A	2.17 A	0.8 kW
2 kVA	2.51 A	4.35 A	1.6 kW
3 kVA	3.77 A	6.52 A	2.4 kW
5 kVA	6.28 A	10.87 A	4 kW
7.5 kVA	9.41 A	16.3 A	6 kW
10 kVA	12.55 A	21.74 A	8 kW
15 kVA	18.83 A	32.61 A	12 kW
20 kVA	25.1 A	43.48 A	16 kW
25 kVA	31.38 A	54.35 A	20 kW
30 kVA	37.65 A	65.22 A	24 kW
40 kVA	50.2 A	86.96 A	32 kW
50 kVA	62.76 A	108.7 A	40 kW

Frequently Asked Questions

How many amps is 10 kVA at 460V?expand_more

10 kVA at 460V is 12.55 amps per line on a three-phase circuit, or 21.74 amps on single-phase at the same voltage.

Three-phase vs single-phase for 10 kVA?expand_more

Three-phase draws 12.55A per line. Single-phase at the same voltage draws 21.74A. Three-phase delivers the same apparent power across three conductors, so each line carries less current and the wire and breakers can be smaller for the same kVA.

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 460V?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.

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.

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.