1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation determines the real power (in watts) delivered to a 3-phase motor or load. It accounts for the line-to-line voltage, current, and power factor of the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real 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)

Explanation: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference in 3-phase systems. The power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for sizing electrical equipment, determining energy consumption, calculating efficiency, and ensuring proper motor operation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for motors). All values must be positive (power factor between 0 and 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is line-to-line voltage?
A: It's the voltage measured between any two phase conductors in a 3-phase system (also called phase-to-phase voltage).

Q2: How does power factor affect the calculation?
A: Lower power factor means more current is required to deliver the same real power, resulting in higher losses.

Q3: What's typical power factor for motors?
A: Induction motors typically have power factors between 0.8 and 0.95 at full load, lower at partial loads.

Q4: Can I use this for single-phase systems?
A: No, single-phase power is calculated as P = V × I × PF (without the √3 factor).

Q5: Why is real power important?
A: Real power represents the actual work-performing capability of the electrical system.