How to convert electric power of 500 watts (W) to electric current in amps (A).
You can calculate (but not convert) the amps from watts and volts:
For DC power supply, amps are equal to watts divided by volts.
amp = watt / volt
amps = 500W / 12V = 41.667A
For AC power supply, amps are equal to watts divided by power factor times volts.
amps = watts / (PF × volts)
For resistive load without inductors or capacitors, the power factor is equal to 1:
amps = 500W / (1 × 120V) = 4.167A
For inductive load (like induction motor), the power factor can be approximately equal to 0.8:
amps = 500W / (0.8 × 120V) = 5.208A
For AC power supply, amps are equal to watts divided by power factor times volts.
amps = watts / (PF × volts)
For resistive load without inductors or capacitors, the power factor is equal to 1:
amps = 500W / (1 × 230V) = 2.174A
For inductive load (like induction motor), the power factor can be approximately equal to 0.8:
amps = 500W / (0.8 × 230V) = 2.717A
How to convert watts to amps ►