1. What is the Power Formula?

The power formula (P = V × I × PF) calculates the real power in an AC or DC electrical circuit. It takes into account voltage, current, and power factor (for AC circuits).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)

Explanation: For DC circuits, power factor is 1. For AC circuits, power factor accounts for phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating power is essential for circuit design, energy consumption estimation, electrical safety, and proper component sizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (1 for DC circuits). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, 0 ≤ PF ≤ 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power in AC circuits, representing how effectively current is converted to useful work.

Q2: What's the difference between real, apparent, and reactive power?
A: Real power (W) does actual work, apparent power (VA) is voltage × current, and reactive power (VAR) is power stored and returned to the source.

Q3: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor means inefficient power usage, potentially causing higher energy bills and requiring larger equipment.

Q4: How do I improve power factor?
A: Power factor correction typically involves adding capacitors to offset inductive loads in the circuit.

Q5: Can this formula be used for three-phase systems?
A: For three-phase systems, multiply by √3 (line-to-line voltage) or 3 (line-to-neutral voltage) depending on configuration.