To calculate from kW to kVA , you just have to take the kW and divide it by the power factor . A quick way to perform the conversion is to use the calculator shown below.
Through the article you can see how the conversion will be carried out step by step with examples and the equivalence tables. We know that finding the power factor of the equipment is somewhat complicated , so we present a table with the most common power factors .
kW to kVA calculation formula:
- kW=kiloWatts.
- kVA=kiloVolt-Ampere.
- P.F=Power factor
How to convert kW to kVA in only 1 step.
Step 1:
Divide the kW (KiloWatts) between the power factor (F.P). See the common power factors on this website: http://calculatorsconversion.com/en/the-power-factor-values-%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8Bfor-the-most-common/.
For example, if you have a microwave that consumes 1.2kW and has a power factor of 0.9, then you should divide 1.2kW by 0.9 to obtain 1.333kW. (1.2kW /0.9 = 1.333kVA)
Examples of conversions from kW to kVA, three-phase, two-phase and single-phase:
Example 1:
An elevator has a power of 22kW, with a power factor of 0.81, how many kVA does the elevator have?
Rta: // The solution is as simple as dividing 22kW / 0.81, as follows: 22 / 0.81 = 27.16.
Example 2:
An electric heater has 8kW, with a power factor of 0.99, how many kVA does the heater have?
Rta: // You must divide the 8kW between the power factor and the result will be: 8 / 0.99 = 8.08kVA, as you can see, the higher the power factor, the more similar are the kW and kVA, remember that the factor Power can not be greater than 1.
Example 3:
A ceiling fan has a power of 18kW, with a power factor of 0.89, how many kVA has a fan and fan?
Rta: // To know the kVA, the kW (18) must be divided between the power factor (0.89), the result will be: 18 / 0.89 = 20.22kVA.
kW to kVA, table for conversion, equivalence, transformation (power factor = 0.80) :
Note : The conversions of the previous table were made taking into account a power factor of 0.8, for different power factors the calculator that appears at the beginning must be used.
Typical Un-improved Power Factor by Industry:
| Industry | Power Factor |
| Auto Parts | 0.75-0.80 |
| Brewery | 0.75-0.80 |
| Cement | 0.80-0.85 |
| Chemical | 0.65-0.75 |
| Coal Mine | 0.65-0.80 |
| Clothing | 0.35-0.60 |
| Electroplating | 0.65-0.70 |
| Foundry | 0.75-0.80 |
| Forging | 0.70-0.80 |
| Hospital | 0.75-0.80 |
| Machine Manufacturing | 0.60-0.65 |
| Metalworking | 0.65-0.70 |
| Office Building | 0.80-0.90 |
| Oil field Pumping | 0.40-0.60 |
| Paint Manufacturing | 0.65-0.70 |
| Plastic | 0.75-0.80 |
| Stamping | 0.60-0.70 |
| Steel Works | 0.65-0.80 |
| Tool, dies, jigs industry | 0.65-0.75 |
Typical power factor of common household electronics:
Typical Motor Power Factors:
| Power | Speed | Power Factor | ||
| (hp) | (rpm) | 1/2 load | 3/4 load | full load |
| 0 – 5 | 1800 | 0.72 | 0.82 | 0.84 |
| 5 – 20 | 1800 | 0.74 | 0.84 | 0.86 |
| 20 – 100 | 1800 | 0.79 | 0.86 | 0.89 |
| 100 – 300 | 1800 | 0.81 | 0.88 | 0.91 |
Reference // Power Factor in Electrical Energy Management-A. Bhatia, B.E.-2012
Power Factor Requirements for Electronic Loads in California- Brian Fortenbery,2014
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com
How to use the calculator from kW to kVA:
The first thing to enter the value of the kW you want to convert, then you must enter the power factor, if you do not know you can see in the tables above the most common values, finally you must click on calculate, if you need to do another calculation must click on restart.