# Generator full load current calculator

Calculates the full load current of a single-phase or 3-phase generator.
Voltage (V)

Generator rating
cosΦ

## Parameters

• Rated voltage (Vp): The rated voltage of the generator in volt (V).
• Phase: Specify the phase arrangement. 1 Phase AC or 3 phase AC.
• Generator rating (S): Specify the the generator rating in kW or kVA. When the rating is in kW, you also need to specify the power factor cos(Φ), which is a number between 0 and 1. You can use approximately 0.80, if the load consists of motors only. For purely resistive loads the power factor cos(Φ) is 1.

## How to calculate the full load current of a 3-phase generator?

### The full load current for a 3-phase generator specified in kW is calculated as:

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot S_{kW}} {\sqrt{3} \cdot V_{LL} \cdot \cos{\phi} }$$

Where,
• Skw is the generator rating in kilo-watt (kW).
• VLL is the generator line-to-line rated voltage in volt (V).
• cos(Φ) is the power factor.
For example, calculate the full load current of a 50 kW, 480 V, 3-phase generator. The estimated load power factor is 0.85.

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot 50} {\sqrt{3} \cdot 480 \cdot 0.85}$$

I = 70.8 A.

### The full load current for a 3-phase generator specified in kVA is calculated as:

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot S_{kVA}} {\sqrt{3} \cdot V_{LL} }$$

Where,
• Sva is the generator rating in kilo-volt-ampere (kVA).
• VLL is the generator line-to-line rated voltage in volt (V).
For example, calculate the full load current of a 50 kVA, 480 V, 3-phase generator.

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot 50} {\sqrt{3} \cdot 480 }$$.

I = 60.1 A.

## How to calculate full load current of a single-phase generator?

### The full load current for a 1-phase generator specified in kW is calculated as:

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot S_{kW}} { \cdot V_{LN} \cdot \cos{\phi} }$$

Where,
• Skw is the generator rating in kilo-watt (kW).
• VLN is the generator line-to-neutral rated voltage in volt (V).
• cos(Φ) is the power factor.
For example, calculate the full load current of a 2 kW, 120 V, 1-phase generator. The estimated load power factor is 0.85.

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot 5} { 120 \cdot 0.85}$$

I = 19.6 A.

### The full load current for a 3-phase generator specified in kVA is calculated as:

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot S_{kVA}} { \cdot V_{LN} }$$

Where,
• Skw is the generator rating in kilo-volt-ampere (kVA).
• VLN is the generator line-to-neutral voltage in volt (V).
For example, calculate the full load current of a 2 kVA, 120 V, 1-phase generator.

$$I=\displaystyle\frac{1000 \cdot 50} { \cdot 480 }$$.

I = 16.7 A.

### How to calculate the full load current of a generator?

For a three-phase generator, the full load current is calculated as I = 1000 × S / (√3 × V). Where, S is the generator rating in kilo-volt-ampere (kVA), and V is the generator rated voltage in volt (V). For a single-phase generator, the full load current is calculated as: I = 1000 × S / V. Try it with this calculator..

### How many amps is a 3000 watt generator?

If it is a 3000 watt (3 kW), single-phase, 120 V generator, and the allowable load power factor is 0.8, then the current will be: I = 3000 / (120 × 0.8) = 31.25 A.

### How many amps is a 10000 watt generator?

If it is a 10000 watt (10 kW), 3-phase, 120 V generator, and the allowable load power factor is 0.8, the current will be: I = 10000 / (√3 × 120 × 0.8) = 60.1 A. If it is a 3-phase- 240 V generator, the current will be: I = 10000 / (√3 × 240 × 0.8) = 30.1 A.

### How many amps is a 7500 watt generator?

If it is a 7500 watt, single-phase 120 V generator, and the allowable load power factor is 0.8, the current will be: I = 7500 / (120 × 0.8) = 78.1 A.