Power Converter
Convert between watts, kilowatts, horsepower, BTU/hr, and more. Calculate electrical power from voltage and current. Includes 3-phase power calculation and power factor correction for industrial use.
Quick Calculator Get a fast estimate
W
1 000
MW
0.001
hp
1.341022
BTU/hr
3 412
Watts (base)
1 000
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How to Use the Power Converter
Select the unit you are converting from, enter the value, and all equivalent power values appear instantly. Common conversions: watts, kilowatts, megawatts, horsepower, and BTU/hr.
The Extended Calculator adds electrical power (P=V×I×PF) and mechanical power (P=F×v) with real-world appliance comparisons. The Professional Calculator handles 3-phase power and power factor correction.
Need more detail?
Extended Calculator More options, charts, and scenario comparison
5 kW equals
5000 W
MW
0.005
hp (imperial)
6.70511
BTU/hr
17060.708176
BTU/min
284.345042
cal/s
1194.229483
Power comparison
LED bulb
10W
Incandescent bulb
60W
Average human
80W
Microwave
1000W
Electric kettle
2000W
Hair dryer
2400W
Electric stove ring
2500W
Geyser
3000W
Your value
5000W
Small car engine
44742W
Power Unit Conversions
| Unit | = Watts | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 W | 1 W | Light bulbs, small devices |
| 1 kW | 1,000 W | Appliances, electricity billing |
| 1 MW | 1,000,000 W | Power stations, large industry |
| 1 hp (imperial) | 745.7 W | Car engines, motors |
| 1 hp (metric) | 735.5 W | European car specs |
| 1 BTU/hr | 0.293 W | Air conditioning, heating |
Common Appliance Power Ratings
| Appliance | Watts | kW |
|---|---|---|
| LED bulb | 10 W | 0.01 kW |
| Laptop | 45–90 W | 0.05–0.09 kW |
| Microwave | 800–1,200 W | 0.8–1.2 kW |
| Electric kettle | 1,500–2,200 W | 1.5–2.2 kW |
| Geyser (standard) | 3,000–4,000 W | 3–4 kW |
| Air conditioner (12,000 BTU) | ~3,500 W | 3.5 kW |
Need full precision?
Professional Calculator Complete parameters, sensitivity analysis, and detailed breakdown
V
A
3-Phase Apparent Power (S)
34,64 kVA
Active power (P)
27,71 kW
Reactive power (Q)
20,78 kVAR
Phase voltage
230,94 V
Power factor
0.8
Formula
S = √3 × V_LL × I_L
Frequently Asked Questions
1 kW = 1,000 W. Your electricity bill from Eskom or your municipality is in kWh (kilowatt-hours) — the energy used by 1 kW of power running for 1 hour.
kW = hp × 0.7457. A 150 hp car engine = 111.9 kW. South African car specs usually show kW, not hp. European cars often use kW, while American specs use hp.
1 BTU/hr = 0.2931 W. Air conditioners rated at 12,000 BTU/hr = 3,516 W = 3.5 kW. To size an AC: room area (m²) × 125 BTU/hr gives approximate capacity needed.
Power factor (PF) = real power / apparent power. A PF of 0.8 means only 80% of drawn power does useful work. Poor PF increases cable losses and electricity costs. Target PF ≥ 0.95 for industrial consumers.
S = √3 × V_LL × I_L ≈ 1.732 × V × I. SA industrial supply is 400V (line-to-line). A 400V, 100A 3-phase supply has apparent power of 1.732×400×100 = 69.28 kVA.