5kW

Five kilowatts (5 kW) is a unit of power equal to 5,000 watts, or 5 kilojoules per second. It represents a rate of energy transfer or energy use, indicating how much work is done or energy consumed per unit time.

In practical terms, 5 kW is a common rating for devices such as space heaters, some electric water heaters, certain air-source heat pumps, and small electric motors or generators. It also serves as a baseline for residential electrical loads and small industrial equipment.

Electrical supply considerations: In a typical household, a 240-volt circuit carrying 5 kW would require about 20–21 amperes if the supply voltage is 240 V and the power factor is near unity; with safety margins, a 30 A circuit breaker is common. At 120 V, a 5 kW load would draw about 41–42 A, requiring a much larger circuit than standard outlets. In three-phase systems, a 5 kW load on 400 V line-to-line can draw around 7–8 A at unity power factor; actual current depends on power factor and distribution.

Energy use: If a 5 kW device runs for one hour, it consumes 5 kWh of energy; running for longer periods increases energy consumption proportionally.

Examples of typical performance: a 5 kW resistance heater delivers about 5 kW of heat, though actual delivered heat depends on efficiency and system design. Electric vehicle chargers often are rated at several kilowatts, with 5 kW being a common home charging rate possible on dedicated circuits in many regions.