1. What is the 3-Phase Power Formula?

The 3-phase power formula calculates real power (kW) from line-to-line voltage, current, and power factor. It's essential for electrical system design, load calculations, and energy management in three-phase systems.

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 accounts for the phase relationship in 3-phase systems and converts the result to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.

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 increased system losses.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (0 to 1). Typical power factors are 0.8-0.95 for motors, 1.0 for resistive loads.

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: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, for single-phase use: kW = (V × I × PF)/1000 (without the √3 factor).

Q3: What if I don't know the power factor?
A: For resistive loads (heaters, incandescent lights) use 1.0. For motors, 0.8 is a typical estimate unless specified.

Q4: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor increases current for the same real power, requiring larger conductors and potentially incurring utility penalties.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise, but actual system performance depends on voltage regulation, harmonic distortion, and other factors.