1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation estimates the real power consumed by a three-phase AC motor or electrical system. It accounts for voltage, current, power factor, and efficiency to determine the actual power being converted to useful work.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real power (watts)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0 to 1)
• \( Eff \) — Efficiency (0 to 1)

Explanation: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems. The power factor and efficiency adjust for losses and reactive power.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation helps in sizing electrical equipment, determining energy consumption, calculating operating costs, and ensuring proper motor selection for applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for motors), and efficiency (typically 0.85-0.95 for motors). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between real power and apparent power?
A: Real power (W) is actual work performed, while apparent power (VA) includes reactive power. The ratio is the power factor.

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor means more current is needed for the same real power, increasing losses and requiring larger conductors.

Q3: What's typical motor efficiency?
A: Standard motors are 85-95% efficient, with higher efficiency in larger motors and premium efficiency models.

Q4: Should I use line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: Always use line-to-line voltage for 3-phase power calculations.

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