How Many Amps Is 2 kW?
2 kW is 16.67 A at 120 V DC. At other common voltages — 240 V: 8.33 A. Use the calculator below for any voltage or circuit type.
2 kW to Amps — Reference Chart
| Circuit | Voltage | PF | Amps |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | 120 V | — | 16.6667 A |
| DC | 240 V | — | 8.3333 A |
| DC | 480 V | — | 4.1667 A |
| AC 1Ø | 120 V | 1.0 | 16.6667 A |
| AC 1Ø | 120 V | 0.8 | 20.8333 A |
| AC 1Ø | 240 V | 1.0 | 8.3333 A |
| AC 1Ø | 240 V | 0.8 | 10.4167 A |
| AC 3Ø (L-L) | 208 V | 0.8 | 6.9386 A |
| AC 3Ø (L-L) | 480 V | 0.8 | 3.0052 A |
Breaker sizing tip: 2 kW at 120 V draws 16.67 A. Per NEC 210.20, continuous loads require breakers sized at 125%: 16.67 × 1.25 = 20.83 A. A standard 25 A breaker is the correct choice. At 240 V (8.33 A), a 15 A breaker is adequate. Always consult a licensed electrician.
In practice: a 2 kW submersible pump
A 2 kW borehole or sump pump pulls about 8.7 A at 230 V, but its starting surge is several times that for a fraction of a second. Pump circuits therefore want a type-C or type-D breaker that tolerates inrush, rather than the type-B used for lighting. Sizing from running current alone while ignoring start-up behaviour is a classic cause of repeat trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many amps is 2 kW at 120V?
2 kW at 120 V DC = (2 × 1,000) ÷ 120 = 16.6667 amps. For AC single-phase with PF 0.8: 2,000 ÷ (120 × 0.8) = 20.8333 amps.
How many amps is 2 kW at 240V?
2 kW at 240 V DC = (2 × 1,000) ÷ 240 = 8.3333 amps. For AC single-phase with PF 0.8: 2,000 ÷ (240 × 0.8) = 10.4167 amps.
What size breaker do I need for 2 kW?
At 120 V, 2 kW draws 16.67 A. The NEC requires breakers sized at 125% for continuous loads: 16.67 × 1.25 = 20.83 A. A standard 25 A breaker is the correct choice. At 240 V (8.33 A), a 15 A breaker is adequate. Always consult a licensed electrician.