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Single conversion
To convert from Ampere (A) to Kiloampere (kA), use the following formula:
Let's convert 5 Ampere (A) to Kiloampere (kA).
Using the formula:
Therefore, 5 Ampere (A) is equal to Kiloampere (kA).
Here are some quick reference conversions from Ampere (A) to Kiloampere (kA):
| Amperes | Kiloamperes |
|---|---|
| 0.000001 A | kA |
| 0.001 A | kA |
| 0.1 A | kA |
| 1 A | kA |
| 2 A | kA |
| 3 A | kA |
| 4 A | kA |
| 5 A | kA |
| 6 A | kA |
| 7 A | kA |
| 8 A | kA |
| 9 A | kA |
| 10 A | kA |
| 20 A | kA |
| 30 A | kA |
| 40 A | kA |
| 50 A | kA |
| 100 A | kA |
| 1000 A | kA |
| 10000 A | kA |
For all Current converters, choose units using the From/To dropdowns above.
An Ampere, often shortened to "amp" or A, is the standard base unit used to measure electric current.
It's part of the International System of Units (SI), which is the modern form of the metric system.
In practical terms, the Ampere measures the rate of flow of electric charge, or the amount of electrical current.
A common analogy is to compare electricity to water flowing through a pipe. In this scenario, voltage is the water pressure, while the Ampere (or "amp") represents the volume of water flowing past a certain point per second.
A higher amperage means more electrons are flowing.
This is why high-power devices like space heaters, hair dryers, or power tools require a much higher amp rating (e.g., 10-15 amps). In contrast, small devices like LED lights or phone chargers use much less (often 1-2 amps).
While the practical definition is most straightforward, the official scientific definition was updated in 2019.
Today, the Ampere is defined based on the elementary charge (e), which is the electric charge of a single proton. This value is fixed at exactly 1.602176634 × 10-19 Coulombs.
This modern definition ties the Ampere directly to a fundamental constant of nature, ensuring its stability and precision.
An Ampere represents the flow of one Coulomb of charge (approximately 6.242 x 1018 elementary charges) passing a point in one second.
The Ampere is named in honor of André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836), a renowned French physicist and mathematician.
He is widely considered one of the principal founders of the science of electromagnetism, which he termed "electrodynamics."
His most famous contribution is Ampère's circuital law, which mathematically describes the magnetic force between two electrical currents. Naming the unit of current after him recognizes his foundational work in understanding the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
A Kiloampere (kA) is a unit of electrical current equal to one thousand amperes (1000 A). The plural form is Kiloamperes.
For perspective, a typical household circuit is rated for 15 or 20 amperes.
A single kiloampere is over 50 times more potent than that entire circuit! It's a unit used to measure immense flows of electricity.
A single bolt of lightning is a powerful natural display of electrical energy, with its current often measured in kiloamperes.
A typical lightning strike can carry a current ranging from 5 kA to over 200 kA.
This immense flow of electricity is what generates the intense heat, brilliant light, and destructive force associated with lightning, highlighting the massive scale represented by the kiloampere unit.
Kiloampere-level currents are fundamental to many heavy industrial processes that require massive amounts of power. Key examples include:
In electrical engineering and power distribution, safety devices like circuit breakers are rated by their Kiloampere Interrupting Capacity (kAIC).
This rating indicates the maximum short-circuit or "fault current," measured in kiloamperes, that the device can safely interrupt without failing.
A high kA rating is crucial in large commercial or industrial systems where a fault could generate tens of thousands of amperes, preventing catastrophic equipment damage, fires, and dangerous arc flashes.