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Independent machine intelligence · Research before the decision
THE MACHINEBLUE BOOKResearch · Market · Ownership
KILOWATTS, KILOWATTHOURS, AMPS & kVA

Power is a rate.
Energy is the total.

Use the right unit for machine capacity, current, transformer planning and electricity consumption instead of forcing unlike numbers into one comparison.

POWER, ENERGY, CURRENT

kW is not kWh, and neither one is amps.

EIA defines a kilowatt as 1,000 watts of power and a kilowatthour as one kilowatt used for one hour. Amps measure current; kVA represents apparent power.

kWReal power at an operating point
kWhEnergy accumulated over time
ACurrent at a stated voltage and condition
Energy (kWh) = average real power (kW) × operating time (hours)A 20 kW average load sustained for 3 hours uses 60 kWh. Startup, idle, cutting and auxiliary loads can change the average.
WHY kW DOES NOT BECOME AMPS BY ITSELF

Current needs the electrical context.

For three-phase input, current depends on line voltage, power factor and the real input power. If the published kW is mechanical output, efficiency is also required.

I ≈ Pinput × 1,000 ÷ (√3 × V × PF)
WHY THE UTILITY BILL IS DIFFERENT

Energy and demand answer different questions.

Energy charges commonly use kWh. A commercial tariff may also include demand or other charges. Use the utility tariff and interval data rather than multiplying a spindle rating by the hours the building is open.

Electrical-planning boundary.

This reference explains terms and arithmetic. It does not size conductors, overcurrent protection, transformers, disconnects, grounding, arc-flash protection or a branch circuit. Use the exact machine documentation, the authority having jurisdiction and qualified electrical professionals. Servicing also requires an applicable hazardous-energy control program.

PRIMARY SOURCES

Electricity measurement and motor input.