How Many Amps Is 3 kVA at 230V?

At 230V, 3 kVA converts to 13.04 amps single-phase or 4.35 amps (three-phase). Unlike kW-to-amps conversion, kVA-to-amps does not involve power factor because kVA already represents the total apparent power including reactive components.

3 kVA equals 13.04 amps at 230 volts (single-phase)

13.04 Amps

Three Phase (230V L-N, 400/230)4.35 A

Try: 2kVA at 230V 1kVA at 230V 5kVA at 230V 7.5kVA at 230V

kVA

Volts

Amps (1Φ)

13.04

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

(3 × 1000) ÷ 230 = 3,000 ÷ 230 = 13.04 A

Three Phase (230V Line-to-Neutral)

I_(A) = (kVA × 1000) ÷ (3 × V_L-N) ≤ equivalent to (kVA × 1000) ÷ (V_L-L × √3)

3,000 ÷ (3 × 230) = 3,000 ÷ 690 = 4.35 A

Applies to 400/230 systems where 230V is the line-to-neutral voltage (line-to-line ≈ 398.36V).

Single Phase vs Three Phase

The same 3 kVA unit draws very different current depending on the phase configuration:

Configuration	Formula	Current at 230V
Single Phase	3,000 ÷ 230	13.04 A
Three Phase (230V L-N)	3,000 ÷ (3 × 230)	4.35 A

For this specific case, 3 kVA at 230V, three-phase carries about 66.67% 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 (applies to 400/230 systems).

Generator & UPS Sizing

Load-Side Real Power by Power Factor

A load with an apparent power of 3 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 230V
Resistive (heaters, lights)	1.0	3 kW	13.04 A
Mixed typical	0.85	2.55 kW	13.04 A
Motors/HVAC	0.80	2.4 kW	13.04 A
Computers/servers (no PFC)	0.65	1.95 kW	13.04 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)	13.04 A	4.35 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 3 kVA at load PF 0.85 draws 2.55 kW of real power. Running cost at that draw: $0.43/hour at $0.17/kWh (rates last reviewed April 2026), or $104.04/month (8h/day). Full breakdown.

kW Equivalent

3 kVA at PF 0.85 = 2.55 kW. See 2.55 kW to amps at 230V.

Other kVA Ratings at 230V

kVA	Single Phase Amps	Three Phase Amps (L-N)	Real Power (PF 0.8)
1 kVA	4.35 A	1.45 A	0.8 kW
2 kVA	8.7 A	2.9 A	1.6 kW
3 kVA	13.04 A	4.35 A	2.4 kW
5 kVA	21.74 A	7.25 A	4 kW
7.5 kVA	32.61 A	10.87 A	6 kW
10 kVA	43.48 A	14.49 A	8 kW
15 kVA	65.22 A	21.74 A	12 kW
20 kVA	86.96 A	28.99 A	16 kW
25 kVA	108.7 A	36.23 A	20 kW
30 kVA	130.43 A	43.48 A	24 kW
40 kVA	173.91 A	57.97 A	32 kW
50 kVA	217.39 A	72.46 A	40 kW

Frequently Asked Questions

How many amps is 3 kVA at 230V?expand_more

3 kVA at 230V is 13.04 amps (single-phase) or 4.35 amps (three-phase (400/230)).

Single-phase vs three-phase for 3 kVA?expand_more

Single-phase draws 13.04A. Three-phase (400/230) draws 4.35A per line. 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.

How much fuel does a 3 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.

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 3 kVA at load PF 0.8 draws 2.4 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.

What size breaker would I need for 3 kVA at 230V?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.

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.