1

Major Electrical Formulas Derivation and Check with example

1) Conversion formula from Kilowatts to Kilo volt amperes,

𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• KVA =
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

2) Conversion formula from Horse power to Kilo volt amperes,

• KVA = 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 ∗ 0.932

3) Conversion formula from Amperes to Kilo volt amperes,

𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
• KVA =
1.44

Note: KVA formulas above are used with Transformer, generator and any other application if rated in KVA.

1) Conversion formula from Kilo volt ampere to Amperes,

• Amps = 𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾 ∗ 1.44

2) Conversion formula from Kilowatts to Amperes,

• Amps = 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 ∗ 1.8

3) Conversion formula from Horse power to Amperes,

• Amps = 𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 ∗ 1.34
Note: Amps formulas above are used with C.B, Cables and other home appliances, since they are rated in Amps.

By,
Sheikh Mohammad Nafees
 2

Derivation and Example

1) Kilowatts to Kilo volt amperes,

𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
KVA =
𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄
Derivating:
P = S * cosθ …...…………………… (1) From Book

where,
P is real power with unit watts (W)

S is apparent power, voltage x current and unit in (VA)

cosθ is a Power Factor.

therefore, above formula can be simplifies as,

W = VA * cosθ ….………………….. (2)

rearranging formula to find VA from Watts,
𝑊𝑊
VA = ………………………….. (3)
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐
remember, 1kW is equals to 1000watts, which results any output value of an equation in Kilo as well,
𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊
kW =
1000
finally, simplifying equation (3) results,
𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌
KVA = ….……………………………..... Final eq
𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄𝒄

Example:
Find the apparent power of a system in (KVA), where real power given is 1200W with power factor (0.8).

Sol:

Converting 1200watts to kilowatts,

𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊𝑊 1200𝑊𝑊
kW = = = 1.2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
1000 1000
𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 1.2𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
applying formula, kVA = = = 1.5𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾
𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 0.8

NOTE: As u see Power Factor is a number between 0 to 1, so KVA is always greater than (r.c) or equal ( i.c) to KW

By,
Sheikh Mohammad Nafees
 3

Derivation and Example

2) Amperes to Kilo volt amperes,

𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨
KVA =
𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
Derivating:

apparent power formula,

S = V I *√3 …...…………………………. (1) 3Φ (book)

where,

S is apparent power, unit in (VA)

V is voltage with unit (v) with constant value 400v in 3 phase system

I is current with unit (Amps).

therefore, above formula can be simplifies as,

VA = Amps * 400v *√𝟑𝟑 ….……..…. (2)

since apparent power need to be calculated in kVA, we divide right side of equation with 1000,
𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀 ∗ 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 ∗√𝟑𝟑
KVA = ….…….…….. (3)
𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

rearrange the equation (2),

𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
KVA� � = 𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 ….….... (4)
𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 ∗√𝟑𝟑

solving mathematical impression results,

KVA (𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒) = 𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨𝑨 ….……….. (5)

finally, by rearranging equation (5) we can drive formula to convert amps into KVA,
𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀
KVA = ….……………………..... Final eq
𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
Example:

A generator is generating total current of 720amps and its rating is 1000KVA. Find if generator rating is
correct.
𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕
applying formula, KVA = = = 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 (generator rating is wrong)
𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 𝟏𝟏.𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒

NOTE: The value for KVA is always smaller than the value for total current, any generator may produce.

By,
Sheikh Mohammad Nafees
 4

Derivation and Example

3) Horse power to Kilo volt amperes,

KVA = 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯 ∗ 𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗
Derivating:

S.I standard value for Electrical horse power is,

1 HP = 746Watts …...…………………………. (1) (Internet)

therefore, we can utilize this HP value in Watts to drive an equation to calculate KVA from HP,

we know that,
𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖𝐖
KVA =
𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷∗ 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
….……………………………. (2)

Where,

PF stands for Power factor with standard value of (0.8), in real-ideal conditions

And over all equation is divided by 1000 to obtain VA value in KVA form, for standardization

Substituting all values in equation (2) give us,

𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕
KVA =
𝟎𝟎.𝟖𝟖∗ 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
….…….…………………….. (3)

By solving mathematical expression we get,

KVA = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗….………………………………….... (4)

Now, from equation (4) we know that 1HP is equal to 𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 KVA. From this we can drive our own
formula to calculate total KVA for given number of Horse power, by simply multiplying 0.932 with
number of HP.

KVA = 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯 ∗ 𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 ….…………..... Final eq

Example:

Find a KVA value for a motor rating 20 Horsepower (HP), and Check

applying formula, KVA = 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯 ∗ 𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 => 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 ∗ 𝟎𝟎. 𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗𝟗 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔

𝐇𝐇𝐇𝐇 ∗ 𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤𝐤 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 ∗ 𝟎𝟎.𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕

Check: KVA = => = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔
𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷 𝟎𝟎.𝟖𝟖
NOTE: With rising horse power, KVA value may drop and show a big difference in values.

By,
Sheikh Mohammad Nafees
 5

Derivation and Example

4) Kilo volt amperes to Amperes,

Amps = 𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒
Derivating:
formula for apparent power,

S= VI * √3 …...…………………..… (1) 3Φ (From Book)

where,
S stands for apparent power with unit (VA)

V stands voltage, with value 400volts in 3 phase system and unit (v)

I stands for current with unit (Amps)

By rearranging equation (1) we get,

𝑆𝑆
I= ………………………….. (2)
𝑉𝑉 ∗ √3

Now substituting the values in equation (2),

𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾𝐾 ∗ 1000
Amps = ……………..….. (3)
400 ∗ √3

Finally by simplifying mathematical expression in equation (3) we get,

Amps = 𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒……………......... Final eq

Example:
A generator with a rating of 720amps and 1000KVA is installed in an office building. Find if generator’s
rating for a current is correct.

applying formula, Amps = 𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 => 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
720Amps < 1440Amps (current rating for a generator is wrong)
NOTE: The value for KVA is always smaller than the value for total current, any generator may produce.

Check: kWatts = 𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲 * PF => 1000 * 0.8 = 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖

NOTE: As u see Power Factor is a number between 0 to 1, so KVA is always greater than (r.c) or equal ( i.c) to KW

Amps = 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟖 => 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟖 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏

By,
Sheikh Mohammad Nafees
 6

Derivation and Example

5) Kilo volt amperes to Amperes,

Amps = 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟖
Derivating:
formula for real power,

P= VI * √3 * cosθ …...……………… (1) 3Φ (From Book)

where,
P stands for real power with unit (W)

V stands voltage, with value 400volts in 3 phase system and unit (v)

I stands for current with unit (Amps)

PF stands for Power factor with standard value of (0.8), in real-ideal conditions

by rearranging equation (1) we get,

𝑃𝑃
I= ………………………….. (2)
𝑉𝑉 ∗ √3 ∗ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

now substituting the values in equation (2),

𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 ∗ 1000
Amps = ……………..….. (3)
400∗0.8 ∗ √3

finally by simplifying mathematical expression in equation (3) we get,

Amps = 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟖……………......... Final eq

Example:
A generator with a rating of 720amps and 500KVA is installed in an office building. Find if generator’s
rating for a current is correct and calculate its real power.

Sol:

applying formula, kWatts = 𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲 * PF => 500 * 0.8 = 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒

Amps = 𝒌𝒌𝒌𝒌 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟖 => 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟖𝟖 = 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕 (current rating is correct)
NOTE: As u see Power Factor is a number between 0 to 1, so KVA is always greater than (r.c) or equal ( i.c) to KW

Check: Amps = 𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲𝑲 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 => 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒 = 𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕𝟕
NOTE: The value for KVA is always smaller than the value for total current, any generator may produce.
By,
Sheikh Mohammad Nafees
 7

Derivation and Example

6) Horse power to Kilo volt amperes,

Amps = 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑
Derivating:

formula to calculate HP from internet is,

𝑉𝑉𝑉𝑉 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸% ∗ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 ∗ √3

HP = ……………………. (1) 3Φ (Inter)
746
where,

HP stands for Horse power and 1 HP = 746watts

VI stands for current and voltage value in 3 phase system (400v)

EFF stand for motor efficiency with value (1.0), in real-ideal conditions

PF stands for Power factor with standard value of (0.8), in real-ideal conditions

by rearranging equation (1) for Amperes we get,

𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 ∗ 746
I= ……………………. (2)
𝑉𝑉 ∗ 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸% ∗ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 ∗ √3

substituting all values in equation (2),

𝐻𝐻𝐻𝐻 ∗ 746
Amps = ……………………. (3)
400 ∗ 1.0 ∗ 0.8 ∗ √3

finally, By solving mathematical expression we get,

Amps = 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 ….…………..... Final eq

Example:

Find a current (Amps) value for a motor rating 20 Horsepower (HP), and Check

Sol:

applying formula,

Amps = 𝑯𝑯𝑯𝑯 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 => 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 ∗ 𝟏𝟏. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖

Check:

Amps = (HP * kWatt) * 1.8 => (20 * 0.746) * 1.8 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖

NOTE: One HP is equal to 746 Watts and 0.746 kWatts.

By,
Sheikh Mohammad Nafees