1. What is Single Phase Power?

Single phase power is commonly used in residential applications and small commercial settings. It consists of two wires - one phase conductor and one neutral - with voltage alternating between positive and negative values.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the single phase 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: The formula calculates real power (as opposed to apparent power) by accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current through the power factor.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A low power factor indicates poor electrical efficiency, as more current is required to deliver the same amount of real power.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). For purely resistive loads (like heaters), power factor is 1. For inductive loads (like motors), it's typically between 0.7 and 0.9.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between single phase and three phase power?
A: Single phase has one alternating voltage, while three phase has three voltages offset by 120°. Three phase is more efficient for large loads.

Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: For residential applications, power factor is typically 0.95-1.0. Industrial loads might have 0.7-0.9 due to motors and transformers.

Q3: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, power factor ranges from 0 to 1. Values greater than 1 would indicate measurement errors.

Q4: How can I improve power factor?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added to counteract inductive loads and bring power factor closer to 1.

Q5: Is this calculator suitable for DC circuits?
A: For DC circuits, simply use P = V × I as power factor is always 1 (no phase difference).