kW to kVA – Calculator, convert in 1 step, examples, table and formula

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:

formula kW to kVA

  • kW=kiloWatts.
  • kVA=kiloVolt-Ampere.
  • P.F=Power factor

How to convert kW to kVA in only 1 step.

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) :

How many kW:Equivalence in kVA
1 kWEquivalent 0,8 kVA
2 kW1,6 kVA
3 kW2,4 kVA
4 kW3,2 kVA
5 kW4 kVA
6 kW4,8 kVA
7 kW5,6 kVA
8 kW6,4 kVA
9 kW7,2 kVA
10 kW8 kVA
20 kW16 kVA
30 kW24 kVA
40 kW32 kVA
50 kW40 kVA
60 kW48 kVA
70 kW56 kVA
80 kW64 kVA
90 kW72 kVA
100 kW80 kVA
200 kW160 kVA
300 kW240 kVA
400 kW320 kVA
500 kW400 kVA
600 kW480 kVA
700 kW560 kVA
800 kW640 kVA
900 kW720 kVA
1000 kW800 kVA
2000 kW1600 kVA
3000 kW2400 kVA
4000 kW3200 kVA
5000 kW4000 kVA
6000 kW4800 kVA
7000 kW5600 kVA
8000 kW6400 kVA
9000 kW7200 kVA
10000 kW8000 kVA
20000 kW16000 kVA
30000 kW24000 kVA
40000 kW32000 kVA
50000 kW40000 kVA
60000 kW48000 kVA
70000 kW56000 kVA
80000 kW64000 kVA
90000 kW72000 kVA

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:

IndustryPower Factor
Auto Parts0.75-0.80
Brewery0.75-0.80
Cement0.80-0.85
Chemical0.65-0.75
Coal Mine0.65-0.80
Clothing0.35-0.60
Electroplating0.65-0.70
Foundry0.75-0.80
Forging0.70-0.80
Hospital0.75-0.80
Machine Manufacturing0.60-0.65
Metalworking 0.65-0.70
Office Building0.80-0.90
Oil field Pumping0.40-0.60
Paint Manufacturing0.65-0.70
Plastic0.75-0.80
Stamping0.60-0.70
Steel Works0.65-0.80
Tool, dies, jigs industry0.65-0.75

Typical power factor of common household electronics:

Electronics devicePower Factor
Magnavox Projection TV – standby0,37
Samsung 70″ 3D Bluray0,48
Digital Picture Frame0,52
ViewSonic Monitor0,5
Dell Monitor0,55
Magnavox Projection TV0,58
Digital Picture Frame0,6
Digital Picture Frame0,62
Digital Picture Frame0,65
Philips 52″ Projection TV0,65
Wii0,7
Digital Picture Frame0,73
Xbox Kinect0,75
Xbox 3600,78
Microwave0,9
Sharp Aquos 3D TV0,95
PS3 Move0,98
Playstation 30,99
Element 41″ Plasma TV0,99
Current large, flat-screen television0,96
Windows-mount air conditioner0,9
Legacy CRT-Based color television0,7
Legacy flat panel computer monitor0,64
While-LED lighting fixture0,61
Legacy laptop power adapter0,55
Laser Printer0,5
Incandescent lamps1
Fluorescent lamps (uncompensated)0,5
Fluorescent lamps (compensated)0,93
Discharge lamps0,4-0,6

Typical Motor Power Factors:

PowerSpeedPower Factor
(hp)(rpm)1/2 load3/4 loadfull load
0 – 518000.720.820.84
5 – 2018000.740.840.86
20 – 10018000.790.860.89
100 – 30018000.810.880.91

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.