1. What is Three Phase Energy Calculation?

The three-phase energy calculation determines the electrical energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for balanced three-phase systems, commonly used in solar panel installations and industrial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three-phase energy formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system, with the power factor correcting for phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Three Phase Calculation

Details: Accurate energy calculation is crucial for solar panel system sizing, energy production estimation, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, power factor (typically 0.8-1.0 for solar systems), and time in hours. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use √3 in the calculation?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems, converting between line-to-line and phase quantities.

Q2: What's a typical power factor for solar systems?
A: Grid-tied solar inverters typically operate at unity power factor (1.0), while some systems might operate between 0.95-1.0.

Q3: Is this calculation valid for unbalanced loads?
A: This simplified calculation assumes balanced three-phase loads. For unbalanced systems, more complex calculations are needed.

Q4: How does this relate to solar panel output?
A: This calculates energy production when you know the system's operating voltage and current over time.

Q5: Can I use this for battery sizing?
A: Yes, the kWh result can help estimate battery bank requirements when combined with days of autonomy calculations.