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3 Phase Current Equation:
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The 3-phase current calculation determines the current flowing in a three-phase electrical system based on power, voltage, and power factor. It's essential for designing and analyzing balanced three-phase systems commonly used in industrial and commercial power distribution.
The calculator uses the 3-phase current equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation accounts for the phase relationship in three-phase systems and the power factor which represents the ratio of real power to apparent power.
Details: Accurate current calculation is crucial for selecting proper wire sizes, circuit breakers, and other electrical components to ensure safe and efficient operation of three-phase systems.
Tips: Enter power in watts, line-to-line voltage in volts, and power factor (typically between 0.8 and 1 for most industrial loads). All values must be positive with power factor between 0 and 1.
Q1: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line-to-line voltage is between any two phases, while line-to-neutral is between one phase and neutral. The calculator uses line-to-line voltage.
Q2: What if my system is single-phase?
A: For single-phase systems, use \( I = P / (V \times PF) \) without the \( \sqrt{3} \) factor.
Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Motors typically have PF of 0.8-0.9, resistive loads have 1.0, and heavily inductive loads can be 0.5 or lower.
Q4: Does this work for both delta and wye configurations?
A: Yes, as long as you use the correct line-to-line voltage for your system.
Q5: How does this relate to kVA calculations?
A: Apparent power (kVA) = \( \sqrt{3} \times V \times I \). Real power (kW) = kVA × PF.