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ELECTRICAL UNIT CONVERSIONS

This information page provides formulas and documentation to take certain electrical values and convert them into other electrical
values. The formulas below are known and used universally in the Generator Industry but you can use them for computer, network,
telecom and powered equipment

VALUE 1-PHASE 3-PHASE

WATTS (W) I X E X PF I X E X 1.73 X PF
E X L X PF E X I X 1.73 X PF
KILOWATTS (kW)
1000 1000
kW X 1000 kW X 1000
AMPERES (I)
E X PF E X 1.73 X PF
KILOVOLT AMPERES IXE I X E X 1.73
(kVA) 1000 1000
FREQUENCY (Hertz or Rotor Poles X RPM Rotor Poles X RPM
f) 120 120
Hertz X 120 Hertz X 120
RPM (n)
Rotor Poles Rotor Poles
NUMBER OF ROTOR Hertz X 120 Hertz X 120
POLES (P) RPM RPM
Actual Watts Actual Watts
POWER FACTOR (PF)
IXE I X 1.73 X E
I v E X PF I X E X 1.73 X PF
HORSEPOWER (HP)
746 X EFF 746 X EFF
AMPERES (when kW is kW X 1000 kW X 1000
known) E X PF E X 1.73 X PF
AMPERES (when kVA is kVA X 1000 kVA X 1000
known) E E X 1.73

I = current in amperes
E = voltage in volts
W = watts
kW = power in kilowatts
kVA = apparent power in kilo-volt-amperes
HP = output power in horsepower
RPM (n) = motor speed in revolutions per minute (RPM)
synchronous speed in revolutions per minute
ns =
(RPM)
Rotor Poles (P) = number of poles
Hertz (f) = frequency in cycles per second (CPS)
 T = torque in pound-feet
EFF = efficiency as a decimal
PF = power factor as a decimal
HP = horsepower

For a detailed explanation of each formula, Click on the links below to go right to it.

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 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 profile for use in selecting a generator, the total power
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 requirements of the equipment. This is not generally bad, you should
just be aware of it.

NOTE #3:
We advise: Develop the power profile using the nameplate information and the formulas below and use the resultant
documentation as your baseline. Why? Because it's the best information available without doing extensive electrical tests on
each piece of equipment. If you must lower your estimates, make sure you have a good reason. In years to come you will
want every watt you can get. Better to be "oversized" then "undersized".

The Formulas
To Find Watts

1. When Volts and Amperes are Known

POWER (WATTS) = VOLTS x AMPERES

We have a appliance 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 = .300 kVA

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.

KILOVOLT-AMPERES (kVA) = VOLTS x AMPERES x 2

1000

220 x 4.7 x 2 = 2068 2068 / 1000 = 2.068 kVA

3. THREE-PHASE

Given: We have a large appliance with nameplate data of 50-amp 208 VAC receptacle. For this calculation, we will use 21
amps. Do not calculate the value of the plug or receptacle. Use the value on nameplate.

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

1000

208 x 20.5 x 1.73 = 7,376.72 7,376.72 / 1000 = 7.377 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 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.
Most generators have a power factor of .80. Whatever the number, it places a slight inaccuracy into the numbers. Its OK and
it gets us very close for the work you need to do.

1. SINGLE PHASE

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

KILOVOLT-AMPERES (kVA) = 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 larger appliance with a running 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 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 very large appliance that shows a requirement for a 50-amp 208 VAC receptacle. For this calculation, we
will use 21 amps. Do not calculate the value of the plug or receptacle. Use the value on nameplate.

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

1000
 208x20.5x1.73 = 7,376.72 7,376.72 * .85 = 6,720.21 6,720.21/1000=6.27 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 .80 which most generators use. The kVA value is
always higher than the value for kW.

kW To kVA kW / .80 = SAME VALUE EXPRESSED IN kVA

kVA To kW kVA * .80 = 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.

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