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 large industrial 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)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Approximately 1.732 (constant for 3-phase systems)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power in a balanced three-phase system, accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current through the power factor.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. A power factor of 1 indicates all power is real power (no reactive power).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). All values must be positive numbers with power factor between 0 and 1.

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: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Power factor typically ranges from 0 to 1. Industrial loads often have 0.8-0.95, while purely resistive loads have 1.0.

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

Q4: What if my system is unbalanced?
A: This calculator assumes a balanced 3-phase system. For unbalanced systems, calculate each phase separately and sum the results.

Q5: Does this calculate real, apparent, or reactive power?
A: This calculates real power (P). Apparent power (S) would be √3 × V × I, and reactive power (Q) would be √(S² - P²).