redzilla
Power

Three-Phase Power

Convert between kW, kVA, kVAR, current and power factor for single- and three-phase systems. Enter the voltage and one value (power or current) and get every quantity, plus the recommended kVA to size a UPS or generator with margin. All in your browser.

System

For three-phase this is the line-to-line voltage (e.g. 380 / 400 / 480 V).

Known value

kW is real (active) power; kVA is apparent. They relate through the power factor: kW = kVA · PF.

01 (cosφ). Motors ~0.80.9; resistive load 1. When the input is in kVA, PF only affects kW/kVAR.

Examples
redzilla.cl — pwr
 
kW
kVA
kVAR
A
Active power
kW
Apparent power
kVA
Reactive power
kVAR
Line current
amperes

All quantities

QuantityValueDetail

UPS / generator sizing

Recommended kVA
with 20 % margin
Design margin
80 %
recommended max. load

Rule of thumb: kVA = kW / PF / 0.8. Keep the UPS or generator running at no more than 80 % to absorb inrush peaks and future expansion.

How it is calculated · kW, kVA, kVAR and PF

1. Three-phase (V = line-to-line): kVA = √3 · V · I / 1000 and I = kVA · 1000 / (√3 · V). Single-phase: without the √3kVA = V · I / 1000.

2. The power factor relates apparent to active power: kW = kVA · PF, where PF = cosφ is between 0 and 1.

3. The power triangle: kVA² = kW² + kVAR², so kVAR = √(kVA² − kW²) (reactive power).

4. Sizing: start from active power and leave margin → kVA = kW / PF / 0.8. The 0.8 reserves 20 % for inrush and growth.

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