1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation determines the real power (in kilowatts) in a three-phase electrical system. It accounts for voltage, current, and power factor to provide accurate power measurement for industrial and commercial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates real power by accounting for the phase relationship in 3-phase systems and the power factor which represents the ratio of real power to apparent power.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor is crucial in power calculations as it represents the efficiency of power usage. A lower power factor (closer to 0) indicates poor utilization of electrical power, while a higher power factor (closer to 1) indicates efficient power usage.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (typically between 0.8 and 1 for most industrial applications). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, power factor between 0-1).

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

Q2: Why is √3 used in 3-phase calculations?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the 120° phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q3: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Most industrial systems aim for 0.85-0.95. Motors might have 0.8-0.9 PF, while purely resistive loads have 1.0 PF.

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

Q5: How does this relate to kVA (apparent power)?
A: kW is real power, while kVA is apparent power (kW = kVA × PF). The same current at lower PF delivers less real power.