How Many Amps Is 15 kVA at 575V?

At 575V, a 15 kVA three-phase load draws 15.06 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 26.09 amps.

15 kVA equals 15.06 amps at 575 volts (three-phase, L-L)
15.06 Amps
Single Phase (575V)26.09 A
15.06

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

(15 × 1000) ÷ 575 = 15,000 ÷ 575 = 26.09 A

Three Phase (575V Line-to-Line)

I(A) = (kVA × 1000) ÷ (VL-L × √3)

15,000 ÷ (575 × 1.732) = 15,000 ÷ 995.9 = 15.06 A

Single Phase vs Three Phase

The same 15 kVA unit draws very different current depending on the phase configuration:

ConfigurationFormulaCurrent at 575V
Single Phase15,000 ÷ 57526.09 A
Three Phase (575V L-L)15,000 ÷ (575 × √3)15.06 A

For this specific case, 15 kVA at 575V, 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 15 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 TypeLoad PFLoad Real Power (kW)Current at 575V (three-phase, per line)
Resistive (heaters, lights)1.015 kW15.06 A per line
Mixed typical0.8512.75 kW15.06 A per line
Motors/HVAC0.8012 kW15.06 A per line
Computers/servers (no PFC)0.659.75 kW15.06 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 PhaseThree Phase
Current draw (at full kVA)26.09 A15.06 A
Ballpark branch OCP~30A~20A

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 15 kVA at load PF 0.85 draws 12.75 kW of real power. Running cost at that draw: $2.17/hour at $0.17/kWh (rates last reviewed April 2026), or $520.20/month (8h/day). Full breakdown.

kW Equivalent

15 kVA at PF 0.85 = 12.75 kW. See 12.75 kW to amps at 575V.

Other kVA Ratings at 575V

kVAThree Phase Amps (L-L, per line)Single Phase AmpsReal Power (PF 0.8)
1 kVA1 A1.74 A0.8 kW
2 kVA2.01 A3.48 A1.6 kW
3 kVA3.01 A5.22 A2.4 kW
5 kVA5.02 A8.7 A4 kW
7.5 kVA7.53 A13.04 A6 kW
10 kVA10.04 A17.39 A8 kW
15 kVA15.06 A26.09 A12 kW
20 kVA20.08 A34.78 A16 kW
25 kVA25.1 A43.48 A20 kW
30 kVA30.12 A52.17 A24 kW
40 kVA40.16 A69.57 A32 kW
50 kVA50.2 A86.96 A40 kW

Frequently Asked Questions

15 kVA at 575V is 15.06 amps per line on a three-phase circuit, or 26.09 amps on single-phase at the same voltage.
A 15 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.
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.
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.
Three-phase draws 15.06A per line. Single-phase at the same voltage draws 26.09A. 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.
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.