3-Phase Power Formula:
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The 3-phase power calculation converts between power (watts) and current (amps) in a balanced three-phase electrical system. This is essential for electrical engineering, circuit design, and power distribution applications.
The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for the phase relationship in three-phase systems and the power factor which represents the efficiency of power usage.
Details: Power factor is crucial in AC circuits as it represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A low power factor indicates poor electrical efficiency and may result in higher utility charges.
Tips: Enter power in watts, line-to-line voltage in volts, and power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for industrial equipment). All values must be positive (power > 0, voltage > 0, 0 < PF ≤ 1).
Q1: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line-to-line voltage is between any two phases, while line-to-neutral is between one phase and neutral. The calculator uses line-to-line voltage.
Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Residential: 0.95-1.0, Industrial: 0.8-0.95. Motors often have 0.8-0.9 PF when loaded.
Q3: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, single-phase uses a different formula (I = P / (V × PF)) without the √3 factor.
Q4: Why does power factor affect current?
A: Lower PF means more current is needed to deliver the same real power due to reactive power components.
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's theoretically accurate for balanced 3-phase systems with sinusoidal waveforms. Real-world systems may have harmonics and imbalances.