3 Phase Power Calculator kW to Amps Table

3 Phase Power Formula:

\[ I = \frac{kW \times 1000}{\sqrt{3} \times V \times PF} \]

Voltage (V):

Power Factor (PF):

(0 to 1)

Maximum kW:

Step Size:

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1. What is the 3 Phase Power Formula?

The 3 phase power formula converts kilowatts (kW) to amperes (A) in a three-phase electrical system. It accounts for the line-to-line voltage and power factor of the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3 phase power formula:

\[ I = \frac{kW \times 1000}{\sqrt{3} \times V \times PF} \]

Where:

\( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
\( kW \) — Power in kilowatts
\( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (V)
\( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
\( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula converts kW to watts (×1000), then divides by the product of voltage, power factor, and √3 (which accounts for the phase difference in 3-phase systems).

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A lower power factor means more current is required to deliver the same amount of real power, which can lead to inefficiencies in the electrical system.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line-to-line voltage (typically 400V, 480V, or 208V in different regions), power factor (usually between 0.8-0.95 for industrial loads), maximum kW value, and step size for the table generation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line-to-line voltage is √3 times the line-to-neutral voltage. This calculator uses line-to-line voltage.

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Lower power factors require higher currents for the same real power, leading to increased losses and larger conductor sizes.

Q3: What are typical power factor values?
A: Induction motors: 0.85-0.9, fluorescent lighting: 0.7-0.9, resistive loads: 1.0. Many utilities charge penalties for PF < 0.9.

Q4: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, for single-phase use: \( I = \frac{kW \times 1000}{V \times PF} \) (without the √3 factor).

Q5: How does voltage affect the current?
A: Current is inversely proportional to voltage - doubling the voltage halves the current for the same power.