How Many Amps Is 1.35 kW at 120V?

At 120V, 1.35 kW pulls approximately 13.27 amps on AC single-phase (PF 0.85). This is the case typical for residential water heaters, dryers, ranges, EV chargers, and HVAC equipment. Always verify against the equipment nameplate for actual install sizing.

1.35 kW at 120V, AC single-phase (PF 0.85)
13.27 Amps
1.35 kilowatts at 120V on AC single-phase ≈ 13.27 amps
DC (ideal baseline)11.28 A
13.27

Formulas

DC: kW to Amps

I(A) = 1000 × P(kW) ÷ V(V)

1000 × 1.35 ÷ 120 = 1,354 ÷ 120 = 11.28 A

AC Single Phase (PF = 0.85)

I(A) = 1000 × P(kW) ÷ (PF × V(V))

1,354 ÷ (0.85 × 120) = 1,354 ÷ 102 = 13.27 A

Equipment & Circuit Sizing

Breaker Sizing

Breaker ratings are in amps, not watts, so the real install answer depends on the equipment nameplate FLA, whether the load is continuous (NEC 210.19(A) sizes the conductor and OCP at 125% of a continuous load, equivalently 80% of breaker rating), conductor ampacity and temperature rating, ambient and bundling derates, and any motor or HVAC provisions (NEC 430 / 440). At roughly 13.27A on AC single-phase at 120V, the load sits in the bracket between a 15A standard size (non-continuous) and the next size up that covers a continuous load under 210.19(A) (around 20A). The actual install pick depends on whether the load is continuous and the factors above; a conversion page can't pick a single "right" breaker from the amp draw alone.

Energy Cost

1.35 kW costs $0.23/hour at $0.17/kWh (rates last reviewed April 2026). See breakdown.

Power Factor Reference (AC single-phase)

How the line current for 1.35 kW at 120V changes with load power factor, on the same AC single-phase circuit basis the rest of the page uses. DC has no power factor; PF 1.0 represents resistive AC loads.

Load TypePF1.35 kW at 120V (AC single-phase)
Resistive (heaters, incandescent)111.28 A
Fluorescent lamps0.9511.88 A
LED lighting0.912.54 A
Synchronous motors0.912.54 A
Typical mixed loads0.8513.27 A
Induction motors (full load)0.814.1 A
Computers (without PFC)0.6517.36 A
Induction motors (no load)0.3532.24 A

AC Conversion Comparison

On DC, 1.35kW at 120V draws 11.28A. AC single-phase at PF 0.85 pulls 13.27A because reactive current is added on top of the real power.

Circuit TypeFormulaResult
DC1,354 ÷ 12011.28 A
AC Single Phase (PF 0.85)1,354 ÷ (0.85 × 120)13.27 A

Other kW Values at 120V

kWAC 1-Phase PF 0.85DC Amps PF 1.0 baseline
0.5 kW4.9 A4.17 A
0.75 kW7.35 A6.25 A
1 kW9.8 A8.33 A
1.5 kW14.71 A12.5 A
2 kW19.61 A16.67 A
2.5 kW24.51 A20.83 A
3 kW29.41 A25 A
3.5 kW34.31 A29.17 A
4 kW39.22 A33.33 A
5 kW49.02 A41.67 A
6 kW58.82 A50 A
7.5 kW73.53 A62.5 A
8 kW78.43 A66.67 A
10 kW98.04 A83.33 A
12 kW117.65 A100 A

Frequently Asked Questions

1.35 kW at 120V draws about 13.27 amps on an AC single-phase circuit at PF 0.85. Alternate cases at the same voltage: 11.28A on DC.
1.35 kW equals 1,354 watts. Multiply kilowatts by 1000.
At 120V, this is Level 1 territory (120V AC, single-phase, typically 12-16A). A 1.35 kW draw on a standard 120V household outlet is at or above the 1,440W NEC 210.19(A) continuous figure, which is why Level 1 EVSE ships at 1.4-1.9 kW and takes 20+ hours for a full charge. If you need 1.35 kW of charging, you want Level 2 on a 240V dedicated circuit, not 120V.
1.35 kW can be either. Residential loads up to about 5 kW (water heaters, dryers, EV chargers at 240V) are usually single-phase; commercial panels often serve the same load three-phase at 208V or 480V.
On AC single-phase, current scales inversely with power factor. At PF 1.0 (pure resistive, like a heater), 1.35 kW at 120V draws 11.28A. At PF 0.80 (typical induction motor), the same real power draws 14.1A. The extra current is reactive and does no real work, but still flows through the wire and the breaker.
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.