How Many Amps Is 10 kW?
10 kW = 10,000 W. At 120 V DC: 83.3333 A. At 240 V DC: 41.6667 A. For AC circuits, divide by voltage × power factor (e.g. 240 V, PF 0.8: 52.0833 A). Use the calculator below for any voltage or circuit type.
10 kW to Amps — Reference Chart
| Circuit | Voltage | PF | Amps |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | 120 V | — | 83.3333 A |
| DC | 240 V | — | 41.6667 A |
| DC | 480 V | — | 20.8333 A |
| AC 1Ø | 240 V | 1.0 | 41.6667 A |
| AC 1Ø | 240 V | 0.8 | 52.0833 A |
| AC 3Ø (L-L) | 208 V | 0.8 | 34.6932 A |
| AC 3Ø (L-L) | 480 V | 0.8 | 15.0263 A |
Breaker sizing tip: At 240 V single-phase, PF 0.8, 10 kW draws 52.08 A. Per NEC 210.20, continuous loads require breakers sized at 125%: 52.08 × 1.25 = 65.1 A. A 70 A breaker is the correct choice. Wire sizing: use 4 AWG copper (rated 85 A). Always consult a licensed electrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many amps is 10 kW at 240V?
10 kW at 240 V DC = (10 × 1,000) ÷ 240 = 41.6667 amps. For AC single-phase with PF 0.8: 10,000 ÷ (240 × 0.8) = 52.0833 amps.
How many amps is 10 kW at 120V?
10 kW at 120 V DC = (10 × 1,000) ÷ 120 = 83.3333 amps. For AC single-phase with PF 0.8: 10,000 ÷ (120 × 0.8) = 104.1667 amps. Loads of this magnitude are almost always served by 240 V or three-phase circuits.
What size breaker do I need for 10 kW?
At 240 V single-phase, PF 0.8: 10 kW draws 52.08 A. The NEC requires 125% for continuous loads: 52.08 × 1.25 = 65.1 A. A 70 A breaker is the correct choice. Use 4 AWG copper wire (rated 85 A). For three-phase at 480 V (PF 0.8): 15.03 A × 1.25 = 18.78 A — a 20 A breaker is adequate. Always consult a licensed electrician.