1. What is Single Phase Power?

Single phase power is a two-wire alternating current (AC) power circuit where the voltage changes simultaneously. It's commonly used in residential applications for lighting, heating, and small appliances.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the single phase power formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
• 1000 — Conversion factor from watts to kilowatts

Explanation: The formula calculates real power (kW) by multiplying voltage, current, and power factor, then converting watts to kilowatts.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A higher power factor (closer to 1) indicates more efficient power usage, while lower values indicate reactive power losses.

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 0.8-0.95.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kW and kVA?
A: kW is real power (what you're billed for), while kVA is apparent power (voltage × current). kW = kVA × power factor.

Q2: Why divide by 1000?
A: The division converts watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 watts).

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Residential: 0.95-1.0, Industrial: 0.8-0.95. Power factors below 0.8 may incur utility penalties.

Q4: Can this be used for DC circuits?
A: Yes, but set PF=1 since DC has no reactive power component.

Q5: How does this differ from three-phase calculation?
A: Three-phase adds a √3 factor (1.732) and can be either line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage.