1. What is 3-Phase Power?

Three-phase power is a common method of alternating current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It's more efficient than single-phase power for delivering large amounts of electricity to motors and other heavy loads.

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 √3 factor accounts for the phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power flowing to the load to the apparent power. A higher power factor (closer to 1) indicates more efficient power usage.

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 valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, 0 ≤ PF ≤ 1).

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 (e.g., 400V line-to-line = 230V line-to-neutral).

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor means you're drawing more current for the same real power, increasing energy losses in distribution systems.

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Induction motors typically have 0.85 PF, while resistive loads have 1.0 PF. Power factor correction can improve values to 0.95+.

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

Q5: How does unbalanced loading affect the calculation?
A: This formula assumes balanced loading. For unbalanced systems, calculate each phase separately and sum the results.