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 large loads and industrial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( kW \) — Power in kilowatts
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (V)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Approximately 1.732

Explanation: The formula converts kilowatts to amps by accounting for the three-phase power system characteristics and power factor.

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, which can lead to inefficiencies in the system.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power in kW, line-to-line voltage in volts, and power factor (typically between 0.8-1.0). All values must be positive numbers.

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 between any two phases, while line-to-neutral is between one phase and neutral. The calculator uses line-to-line voltage.

Q2: What's a typical power factor value?
A: For motors, typical PF ranges from 0.8-0.95. Resistive loads have PF=1. The default value of 0.8 is common for many industrial applications.

Q3: Why multiply kW by 1000?
A: The formula converts kilowatts to watts (1 kW = 1000 W) since voltage is in volts and current in amperes.

Q4: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, this is specifically for 3-phase systems. Single-phase uses a different formula without the √3 factor.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's theoretically accurate for balanced 3-phase systems with sinusoidal waveforms. Real-world conditions may vary slightly.