1. What is 3-Phase Power?

Three-phase power is a common method of alternating current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It is more efficient than single-phase power for heavy industrial loads and large motors.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — 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)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power in a balanced three-phase system. The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference between the three phases.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A lower power factor means more current is required to deliver the same amount of real power, leading to inefficiencies in the system.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (typically between 0.8 and 1 for most industrial loads). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: In a 3-phase system, line-to-line voltage is √3 times the line-to-neutral voltage. This calculator uses line-to-line voltage.

Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: For industrial motors, power factor is typically 0.8-0.9. Resistive loads have a power factor of 1.0.

Q3: Can this be used for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase systems use P = V × I × PF (without the √3 factor).

Q4: How does unbalanced load affect the calculation?
A: This formula assumes balanced load. For unbalanced loads, each phase must be calculated separately.

Q5: What about reactive power?
A: This calculates real power. For apparent power (VA), omit the PF factor. For reactive power (VAR), use Q = √3 × V × I × sin(θ).