1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation determines the real power (in kilowatts) in a three-phase electrical system. It accounts for line-to-line voltage, current, and power factor, providing the actual usable power in the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power by accounting for the phase relationship in 3-phase systems and the power factor which represents the ratio of real power to apparent power.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor (PF) is crucial in power calculations as it represents the efficiency of power usage. A PF of 1 means all power is real (usable) power, while lower values indicate reactive power components.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). Typical power factors for different loads:

• Resistive loads: 1.0
• Induction motors: 0.8-0.9
• Fluorescent lighting: 0.7-0.8

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kW and kVA?
A: kW is real power (what you pay for), while kVA is apparent power (voltage × current). kW = kVA × PF.

Q2: Why use line-to-line voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line-to-line voltage is the standard measurement between any two phases.

Q3: What if I have line-to-neutral voltage?
A: Multiply line-to-neutral voltage by √3 to get line-to-line voltage before using this calculator.

Q4: How does power factor affect the calculation?
A: Lower power factor means more current is needed for the same real power, increasing system losses.

Q5: What's typical for industrial power factors?
A: Most industrial facilities aim for 0.95 or higher to avoid power factor penalty charges.