This article will show how to convert electric current measurement units from milliamperes (mA) to kiloamperes (kA). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of Ampere, Milliampere, and Kiloampere
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Ampere (A), Milliampere (mA), and Kiloampere (kA). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.
What is an Ampere?
The ampere (A) is the SI base unit of electric current, representing the amount of charge flowing through a conductor per second.[1] It is defined based on the elementary charge (e), where 1 A = 1 coulomb per second (C/s).
"Amp" is an informal abbreviation commonly used in everyday conversation and electrical contexts, though "A" remains the official SI unit symbol.
According to SI prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 10, an ampere (1 A) is equivalent to one thousand milliamperes (103 mA or 1,000 mA).
What is a Milliampere?
A milliampere (mA) is a unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one thousandth (1/1,000) of an ampere (0.001 A).
Milliamps are simply amps divided by 1,000, like breaking a dollar into pennies. They’re the standard unit for devices such as phones, LED bulbs, or fitness trackers, where currents are tiny. Milliamps simplify design, troubleshooting, and documentation, keeping numbers clean and reducing errors.
What is a Kiloampere?
A kiloampere (kA) is a derived unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one thousand ampere (1,000 A).
It is typically used in high-power applications and industrial contexts where currents are on a much larger scale than what is encountered in everyday electronic devices. For instance, large-scale power generation, electrical transmission systems, and heavy industrial processes often involve currents measured in kiloamperes.
mA to kA formula
Let’s take a closer look at the conversion formula so you can carry out these conversions independently, whether using a calculator or doing it manually with pencil and paper.
The milli- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 10-3 (0.001) while the kilo- represents a multiplier of 103 (1,000).
So, to convert from milliamps to kiloamps, divide the number of milliamps (I(mA)) by 1,000,000.
I(kA) = I(mA) ÷ 106 = I(mA) ÷ 1,000,000
Or remember the mA-to-kA conversion factor: 1 mA = 10-6 = 0.000001 kA
mA to kA conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting electric current measurement units from milliamperes (mA) to kiloamperes (kA). It covers a range from 0.1 mA to 1,000 mA, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
| Milliamperes (mA) | Kiloamperes (kA) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 mA | 0.0000001 kA |
| 0.5 mA | 0.0000005 kA |
| 1 mA | 0.000001 kA |
| 2 mA | 0.000002 kA |
| 4 mA | 0.000004 kA |
| 5 mA | 0.000005 kA |
| 10 mA | 0.00001 kA |
| 20 mA | 0.00002 kA |
| 30 mA | 0.00003 kA |
| 40 mA | 0.00004 kA |
| 50 mA | 0.00005 kA |
| 60 mA | 0.00006 kA |
| 70 mA | 0.00007 kA |
| 80 mA | 0.00008 kA |
| 90 mA | 0.00009 kA |
| 100 mA | 0.0001 kA |
| 200 mA | 0.0002 kA |
| 500 mA | 0.0005 kA |
| 800 mA | 0.0008 kA |
| 1,000 mA | 0.001 kA |
Examples
Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from milliamperes to kiloamperes (mA to kA).
Example: Solar Farm Microinverters
In a solar farm, each microinverter produces a small current measured in milliamperes. However, the aggregate current from hundreds of thousands of microinverters is more meaningful when expressed in kiloamperes for system-level analysis.
If a solar farm includes 700,000 microinverters each producing 2 mA, how many kiloamperes is that? You need it to assess the current flow entering the grid-tie conversion system.
Solution
Total electric current produced by 700,000 microinverters is:
Since 1 kiloampere (kA) = 106 = 1,000,000 milliamperes (mA), we can convert 1,400,000 mA to kiloamperes by using the following formula:
Therefore, the 1,400,000 mA electric current is equivalent to 1.4 kA.
To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:
- Enter the value in milliamperes: For this example, enter
1,400,000into theFrombox. - View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in kiloamperes:
1.4 kA.
FAQs
Is 1 milliampere or 1 kiloampere larger?
An kiloampere (kA) is a million times bigger than a milliampere (mA). Here are the relationships between the units:
1 kA = 106 = 1,000,000 mA1 mA = 10-6 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.000001 kA
How to convert from milliamperes to kiloamperes?
To convert electric current from milliamperes (mA) to kiloamperes (kA), follow these simple steps:
- Write down the electric current value in
milliamperes (mA). - Multiply it by the value of a
mA-to-kAconversion factor:10-6or0.000001. - The result of multiplication is the value of the electric current in
kiloamperes (kA).
Why do I need to convert milliamperes to kiloamperes?
Converting milliamperes to kiloamperes is necessary when you need a more practical scale for handling large aggregated currents. In many applications, especially when multiple small currents add up to create a very large total, expressing the sum in kiloamperes makes it easier to read and compare.
This conversion also simplifies calculations by reducing the number of zeros, which minimizes errors and improves clarity when aligning measured values with system specifications or design criteria.
You now know how to convert electric current from milliamperes (mA) to kiloamperes (kA). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the electric current measurement units to save time for future calculations.
