1. What is the 3 Phase Power Formula?

The 3-phase power formula calculates the real power in a balanced three-phase electrical system. It accounts for the phase difference between voltage and current through the power factor (PF).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates the actual power being used in the system, accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is crucial for sizing electrical equipment, determining energy consumption, calculating efficiency, and designing electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, 0 ≤ PF ≤ 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing how effectively current is being converted into useful work.

Q2: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line-to-line voltage is between two phases, while line-to-neutral is between one phase and neutral. Line-to-line is √3 times line-to-neutral.

Q3: What is a typical power factor value?
A: For motors, typical PF is 0.8-0.9. Resistive loads have PF=1. Capacitive/inductive loads have PF < 1.

Q4: Can this formula be used for unbalanced loads?
A: No, this formula is for balanced 3-phase systems. Unbalanced systems require more complex calculations.

Q5: How does this differ from single-phase power calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P = V × I × PF without the √3 factor. Three-phase is more efficient for power transmission.