1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation converts current (amps) and voltage to apparent power (kVA) and real power (kW) in three-phase electrical systems. This is essential for sizing electrical equipment and understanding power consumption.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

Where:

• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0-1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the phase relationship in three-phase systems, converting amperes to apparent power (kVA) and then to real power (kW) using the power factor.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power (kW) to apparent power (kVA). A higher power factor (closer to 1) indicates more efficient power usage with less reactive power.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for industrial loads). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kVA and kW?
A: kVA is apparent power (volts × amps), while kW is real power (kVA × power factor) that does actual work.

Q2: Why use √3 in the formula?
A: √3 accounts for the phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Industrial facilities typically aim for 0.95+, while 0.8 is common for motors at partial load.

Q4: Can this be used for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase use: kVA = (V × I)/1000 (without the √3 factor).

Q5: How does this relate to electrical bills?
A: Utilities often charge for kVA demand (capacity) and kWh (kW × time) consumption.