1. What is Three Phase Power?

Three-phase power is a common method of alternating current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It's more efficient than single-phase power for large loads and motors.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — 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)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power in a balanced three-phase system, accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A higher PF (closer to 1) means more efficient power usage. Low PF can cause inefficiencies and additional costs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage (typically 208V, 230V, 400V, 480V, etc.), current in amps, and power factor (0.8 is common for motors). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, PF between 0-1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: Line-to-line is between any two phases, while line-to-neutral is between one phase and neutral. For a balanced system, line-to-line = √3 × line-to-neutral.

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

Q3: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Induction motors typically have PF of 0.8-0.9. Resistive loads have PF=1. Capacitive loads can have leading PF.

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase power calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P = V × I × PF without the √3 factor.

Q5: When should I use three-phase vs single-phase?
A: Three-phase is preferred for industrial/motor applications due to efficiency. Single-phase is common in residential settings.