How to convert VA to Watts and KVA to Kilowatts

Basics

Since watts is volts times amps, what is VA? VA (or volt-amps) is also volts
times amps, the concept however has been extended to AC power. For DC
current

VA = Watts (DC current).

In AC if the volts and amps are in phase (for example a resistive load) then the
equation is also

VA=Watts (resistive load)

where V is the RMS voltage and A the RMS amperage.

In AC the volts and amps are not always in phase (meaning that the peak of the
voltage curve is does not happen at the peak of the current curve). So in AC, if
the volts and amps are not precisely in phase you have to calculate the watts by
multiplying the volts times the amps at each moment in time and take the
average over time. The ratio between the VA (i.e. rms volts time rms amps) and
Watts is called the power factor PF.

VA·PF = Watts (any load, including inductive loads)

In other words, volt-amps x power factor = watts. Similarly, KVA*PF = KW,

Or kilovolt-amps times power factor equals kilowatts.

When you want to know how much the electricity is costing you, you use watts.
When you are specifying equipment loads, fuses, and wiring sizes you use the
VA, or the rms voltage and rms amperage. This is because VA considers the
peak of both current and voltage, without taking into account if they happen at
the same time or not

Finding the Power Factor

How do you find the power factor? This isn’t easy. For computer power
supplies and other supplies that are power factor corrected the power factor is
usually over 90%. For high power motors under heavy load the power factor
can be as low as 35%.

Industry standard rule-of-thumb is that you plan for a power factor of 60%,
which somebody came up with as a kind of average power factor.

Converting VA to Amps

How to convert VA to amps? Use the following formula:

Where A stands for the RMS amps, VA stands for volt-amps, V stands for
RMS volts and PF stands for the power factor.

Converting VA to Volts

How to convert VA to volts? Use the following formula:

Where V stands for RMS volts, A stands for the RMS amps, VA stands for
volt-amps, and PF stands for the power factor.

What is KVA?

KVA is just kilovolt-amps, or volts times amps divided by 1000:

KVA·PF = KW (any load, including inductive loads)

Where KVA stands for kilovolt-amps, KW stands for kilowatts, and PF stands
for the power factor.

Keep the factor of 1000 straight when dealing with mixed units:
KVA·PF = W/1000 (any load, including inductive loads)

VA·PF = 1000·KW (Kilowatts to VA)

Converting VA to Amps (voltage fixed)

The conversion of VA to Amps is governed by the equation Amps =

VA·PF/Volts)

For example 12 VA·0.6/(12 volts) = 0.6 amp

Converting KVA to KW (Kilovolt-amps to Kilowatts)

The conversion of KVA to KW is governed by the equation KVA = KW/PF)

For example, if the power factor is 0.6

120 KVA·0.6 = 72 Kilowatts

Converting Watts to KVA (watts to kilovolt-amps)

The conversion of W to KVA is governed by the equation KVA=W/(1000*PF)

For example 1500W/(1000*0.83) = 1.8 kVA (assuming a power factor of 0.83)

F
Converting Amps to VA (voltage fixed)

The conversion of Amps to VA is governed by the equation VA = Amps ·

Volts/PF

For example 1 amp * 110 volts/0.6 = 183 VA

Converting Amps to KVA (voltage fixed)

The conversion of Amps to KVA is governed by the equation KVA = Amps ·

Volts/(1000·PF)

For example 100 amp * 110 volts/(1000*0.6) = 18.3 KVA

Converting VA to Volts (current fixed)

The conversion of VA to Volts is governed by the equation Volts =

VA·PF/Amps

For example 100 VA · 0.6/10 amps = 6 volts

Converting Volts to VA (current fixed)

The conversion of Volts to VA is governed by the equation VA = Amps ·

Volts/PF

For example 1.5 amps * 12 volts/0.6 = 30 VA

Converting Volts to Amps at fixed VA

The conversion of Volts to Amps is governed by the equation Amps =

VA·PF/Volts

For example 120 VA* 0.6 /110 volts = 0.65 amps

Converting Amps to Volts at fixed VA

The conversion of Amps to Volts is governed by the equation Volts =

VA·PF/Amps

For Example, 48 VA · 0.6 / 12 Amps = 2.4 Volts

Explanation

Amps are how many electrons flow past a certain point per second. Volts is a
measure of how much force that each electron is under. Think of water in a
hose. A gallon a minute (think amps) just dribbles out if it is under low pressure
(think voltage). But if you restrict the end of the hose, letting the pressure build
up, the water can have more power (like watts), even though it is still only one
gallon a minute. In fact the power can grow enormous as the pressure builds, to
the point that a water knife can cut a sheet of glass. In the same manner as the
voltage is increased a small amount of current can turn into a lot of watts.
 ELECTRICAL UNIT CONVERSIONS

The purpose of this document is to provide information, formulas and

documentation to take certain electrical values and convert them into other
electrical values. The formulas below are known and used universally but we
use them here in association with computer, network, telecom and other IT
equipment.

To Find Watts
To Find Volt-Amperes
To Find Kilovolt-Amperes
To Find Kilowatts
To Convert Between kW and kVA
TO Find kBTUs from Electrical Values

Background

It is often necessary to turn voltage, amperage and electrical "nameplate" values from computer,
network and telecom equipment into kW, KVA and BTU information that can be used to calculate
overall power and HVAC loads for IT spaces. The following describes how to take basic electrical
values and convert them into other types of electrical values.

• NOTE #1:
The informational nameplates on most pieces of computer or network equipment usually
display electrical values. These values can be expressed in volts, amperes, kilovolt-
amperes, watts or some combination of the foregoing.
• NOTE #2:
If you are using equipment nameplate information to develop a power and cooling profile
for architects and engineers, the total power and cooling values will exceed the actual
output of the equipment. Reason: the nameplate value is designed to ensure that the
equipment will energize and run safely. Manufacturers build in a "safety factor" when
developing their nameplate data. Some nameplates display information that is higher
than the equipment will ever need - often up to 20% higher. The result is that, in total,
your profile will "over engineer" the power and cooling equipment. Electrical and
mechanical engineers may challenge your figures citing that nameplates require more
power than necessary.
• NOTE #3:
Our advice: Develop the power and cooling profile using the nameplate information and
the formulas below and use the resultant documentation as your baseline. Reasons: (1)
it's the best information available without doing extensive electrical tests on each piece of
equipment. Besides, for most projects, you are being asked to predict equipment
requirements 3-5 years out when much of the equipment you will need hasn't been
invented yet. (2) the engineers will not duplicate your work; they do not know what goes
into a data center. They will only challenge the findings if they appear to be to high. If
the engineers want to challenge your figures, it's OK but have them do it in writing and let
them take full responsibility for any modifications. If you must lower your estimates, do
so. But, document everything. There will come a day in 3-5 years when you will need
every amp of power you predicted. We've had projects where it was very evident within
six months that what we predicted would come true - sometimes even earlier than we
estimated.
• NOTE #4
If you are designing a very high-density server room where you will have racks and racks
 (or cabinets and cabinets) of 1U and 2U servers tightly packed, you need to read our
article entitled "IT Pros - Don't be Left in the Dust on IT Server Room Design".

To Find Watts

1. When Volts and Amperes are Known

POWER (WATTS) = VOLTS x AMPERES

• We have a small server with a nameplate shows 2.5 amps. Given a normal 120 Volt, 60
hz power source and the ampere reading from equipment, make the following
calculation:

POWER (WATTS) = 120 * 2.5 ANSWER: 300 WATTS

To Find Volt-Amperes (VA)

1. Same as above. VOLT-AMPERES (VA) = VOLTS x AMPERES ANS: 300 VA

To Find kilovolt-Amperes (kVA)

1. SINGLE PHASE

KILOVOLT-AMPERES (kVA) = VOLTS x AMPERES

1000

Using the previous example: 120 * 2.5 = 300 VA 300 VA / 1000 = .3 kVA

2. 208-240 SINGLE-PHASE (2-POLE SINGLE-PHASE)

• Given: We have a Sun server with an amp rating of 4.7 and requiring a 208-240 power
source. We'll use 220 volts for our calculations.

KILOVOLT-AMPERES (kVA) = VOLTS x AMPERES

1000

220 x 4.7 = 1034 1034 / 1000 = 1.034 kVA

3. THREE-PHASE

• Given: We have a large EMC Symmetrix 3930-18/-36 storage system with 192 physical
volumes. EMC's website shows a requirement for a 50-amp 208 VAC receptacle. For
this calculation, we will use 21 amps. Do not calculate any value for the plug or
receptacle.

KILOVOLT-AMPERES (kVA) = VOLTS x AMPERES x 1.73

1000

208 x 21 x 1.73 = 7,556.64 7,556.64 / 1000 = 7.556 kVA

To Find Kilowatts

• Finding Kilowatts is a bit more complicated in that the formula includes a value for the
"power factor". The power factor is a nebulous but required value that is different for
each electrical device. It involves the efficiency in the use of of the electricity supplied to
the system. This factor can vary widely from 60% to 95% and is never published on the
equipment nameplate and further, is not often supplied with product information. For
purposes of these calculations, we use a power factor of .85. This arbitrary number
places a slight inaccuracy into the numbers. Its OK and it gets us very close for the work
we need to do.

1. SINGLE PHASE

Given: We have a medium-sized Compaq server that draws 6.0 amps.

KILOWATT (kW) = VOLTS x AMPERES x POWER FACTOR

1000

120 * 6.0 = 720 VA 720 VA * .85 = 612 612 / 1000 = .612 kW

2. TWO-PHASE

• Given: We have a Sun server with an amp rating of 4.7 and requiring a 208-240 power
source. We'll use 220 volts for our calculations.

KILOWATT (kW) = VOLTS x AMPERES x POWER FACTOR x 2

1000

220 x 4.7 x 2 = 2068 2068 x .85 = 1757.8 1757.8 / 1000 = 1.76 kW

3. THREE-PHASE

• Given: We have a large EMC Symmetrix 3930-18/-36 storage system with 192 physical
volumes. EMC's website shows a requirement for a 50-amp 208 VAC receptacle. For
this calculation, we will use 22 amps. Do not calculate the value of the plug or
receptacle. Use the value on nameplate.

KILOWATT (kW) = VOLTS x AMPERES x POWER FACTOR x 1.73

1000

208x22x1.73 = 7,916.48 7,916.48 * .85 = 6,729.008 6,729.008/1000=6.729 kW

To Convert Between kW and kVA

• The only difference between kW and kVA is the power factor. Once again, the power
factor, unless known, is an approximation. For purposes of our calculations, we use a
power factor of .85. The kVA value is always higher than the value for kW.

kW to kVA kW / .85 = SAME VALUE EXPRESSED IN kVA

kVA TO kW kVA * .85 = SAME VALUE EXPRESSED IN kW
To Find BTUs From Electrical Values

• Known and Given: 1 kW = 3413 BTUs (or 3.413 kBTUs)

• The above is a generally known value for converting electrical values to BTUs. Many
manufacturers publish kW, kVA and BTU in their equipment specifications. Often,
dividing the BTU value by 3413 does not equal their published kW value. So much for
knowns and givens. Where the information is provided by the manufacturer, use it.
Where it is not, use the above formula.

Three Phase Amps

Purpose

Electrical services are usually sized by amperage, kilovolt-amps (kVA), or by

horsepower (HP) requirements. In order to size metering equipment properly, it
is often necessary to calculate amps when the transformer size (kVA) is known.
Never get in a habit of adding amps! However, when calculating amps based
upon installed kVA capacity, you do need to add up the total kVA. The correct
formula is given below for calculating three phase amps. This formula works for
transformer banks with closed Wye or Delta secondary (3 transformers)
configurations. The key to using this formula is to use the line to line voltage
provided by the transformer bank, not the line to neutral voltage!

The following formula may be used for calculating three-phase amps:

kVA X 1,000

Three-phase amps = -----------------------------------------

1.732 X Line to Line voltage

Example 1:
Assume you are using 3 – 100 kVA 120/240 volt transformers. The line to line
voltage of the transformer bank is 240 volts. Therefore, use 240 volts in the
formula. Since you are using 3 – 100 kVA transformers, the total capacity will be
300 kVA.

300 kVA X 1,000 300,000 VA

Three-phase amps = ------------------------- = --------------------- = 721.71 amps

1.732 X 240 V 415.68V

Rule of Thumb
To avoid using the above formula, use the following chart for an Amps per
kVA constant:

Line to Line Amps

Voltage per kVA
208 volts = 2.8
240 volts = 2.4
480 volts = 1.2

Example 2:
Assume you are using 3 – 100 kVA 120/240 volt transformers. The line to line
voltage of the transformer bank is 240 volts. Therefore, use 2.4 for the Amps
per kVA constant in the formula. Since you are using
3 – 100 kVA transformers the total capacity will be 300 kVA.

Amps per
Three-phase amps = kVA Constant X Total kVA = 2.4 X 300 kVA = 720
amps

Notice the answer is extremely close to the answer given by the exact formula
used in example 1. Sizing equipment is made very easy by remembering these
three little Amps per kVA constants. Simply choose the correct line to line
voltage, multiply the corresponding Amps per kVA constant times the total
installed transformer capacity and you are done. No long formula, no division, no
square root of 3, etc…

Example 3:
Assume you are using 3 – 25 kVA 120/240 volt transformers with paralleled
windings for a 120/208 volt Wye secondary. The line to line voltage of the
transformer bank is 208 volts. Therefore, use 2.8 for the Amps per kVA constant
in the formula. Since you are using 3 – 25 kVA transformers the total capacity
will be 75 kVA.

Amps per
Three-phase amps = kVA Constant X Total kVA = 2.8 X 75 kVA = 210
amps

Once again, sizing equipment is made very easy by using the appropriate Amps
per kVA constant.

Example 4:
Assume you are using 3 – 37.5 kVA 240/480 volt transformers with a 480 volt
secondary. The line to line voltage of the transformer bank is 480 volts.
Therefore, use 1.2 for the Amps per kVA constant in the formula. Since you are
using 3 – 37.5 kVA transformers the total capacity will be 112.5 kVA.
 Amps per
Three-phase amps = kVA Constant X Total kVA = 1.2 X 112.5 kVA = 135
amps

Open Delta Transformer Secondary

An open Delta transformer secondary only requires two transformers. However,

the total transformer capacity is reduced to 86% of the total kVA. Therefore, the
previously used rule of thumb may be applied along with 86% to calculate three
phase amps for open Delta transformer banks.

Example 5:
Assume you are using 2 – 50 kVA 120/240 volt transformers with a 240 volt open
Delta secondary. The line to line voltage of the transformer bank is 240 volts.
Therefore, use 2.4 for the Amps per kVA constant in the formula. Since you are
using 2 – 50 kVA transformers the total capacity will be 100 kVA X 86% = 86
kVA.

Amps per
Three-phase amps = kVA Constant X Total kVA = 2.4 X 86 kVA = 206.4
amps

Never Add Amps!

Adding amps may be done under certain circumstances, however, it is also

responsible for many incorrectly sized electrical installations. Therefore,
unless you are certain you thoroughly understand how circuits work, it is
best not to get in the habit of adding amps.

Example 6:
In the following diagram, amperage has been measured on all three phases.
Each phase has been measured at 100 amps. This is a balanced 100 amp three
phase load. Not a 300 amp load! The conductors connecting the transformers
and the rest of the main secondary service must be capable of carrying 100
amps not 300 amps. Once again, do not get in the habit of adding amps!
Metering Equipment & Transformer Sizing

Example 7:
An electrician says a new three-phase 120/240 volt Delta service will require up
to 600 amps. Use the previously stated rule of thumb in reverse. Divide 600
amps by the Amps per kVA constant for a line to line voltage of 240 volts. 600
divided by 2.4 is 250. 250 is the total kVA required. Each transformer will need
to be a minimum of 83 kVA to carry a balanced 600 amp load. Many electrical
utilities would install 3 – 75 kVA transformers even though they are only capable
of delivering 540 amps on a continuous basis. If 600 amps are only required for
short periods of time, and the transformers are fused properly, the transformers
will not be harmed. If in doubt, install 3 – 100 kVA transformers, which can
provide 720 amps. Current transformers with a 200/5 ratio with a RF of 3.0
would be appropriate. Be sure to use a class 20 meter since the 200/5 CT’s can
deliver up to 15 amps under these load conditions.

Example 8:
An electrician says a new three-phase 120/208 volt Wye service will require up to
400 amps. Use the previously stated rule of thumb in reverse. Divide 400 amps
by the Amps per kVA constant for a line to line voltage of 208 volts. 400 divided
by 2.8 is approximately 143. 143 is the total kVA required. Each transformer will
need to be a minimum of 48 kVA to carry a balanced 400 amp load. Install 3 –
50 kVA transformers which can provide up to 420 amps. Current transformers
with a 200/5 ratio with a RF of 2.0 would be appropriate. A class 10 or 20 meter
may be used.

Example 9:
An electrician says he needs to hook up a three-phase 40 HP 480 volt water
well. Most books list 1 HP = 746 watts, but when sizing equipment always
assume 1 HP = 1 kVA. Therefore, 40 HP = 40 kVA. Three 15 kVA transformers
are required to provide a total of 45 kVA. Since the line to line voltage will be 480
volts, 40 kVA multiplied by 1.2 (480 volt Amps per kVA constant) = 48 amps.
Obviously a class 100 or 200 self-contained meter can be used for this load.
However, if you do not wish to use a 480 volt rated meter due to safety and
reliability concerns, use 480:120 volt voltage transformers with 50/5 ratio CT’s.
200/5 CT’s with 1 turn may also be used if the water well has no auxiliary light
loads to worry about. If the water well is either on (full load) or off (no load), then
light load conditions which could cause accuracy errors if CT’s are too large do
not exist. (Always strive provide an instrument rated meter with a minimum of .
25 amps to improve light load accuracy).