1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation determines the real power (in watts) in a three-phase electrical system. It accounts for the voltage, current, and power factor in a balanced three-phase circuit.

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 relationship between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A lower power factor indicates poor utilization of electrical power, while a power factor of 1 represents perfect efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). For purely resistive loads, power factor is 1. For inductive loads (like motors), it's typically between 0.8 and 0.95.

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 √3 used in the formula?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the 120° phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q3: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Resistive loads have PF=1. Induction motors typically have PF=0.8-0.9. Highly inductive loads can have PF as low as 0.5.

Q4: Can this be used for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase use P = V × I × PF (without the √3 factor).

Q5: How does power factor affect energy consumption?
A: Lower power factor means more current is needed for the same real power, increasing energy losses in wiring.