1. What is 3-Phase Power?

Three-phase power is a common method of alternating-current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It is more efficient than single-phase power for delivering large amounts of electricity to motors and other heavy loads.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-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, 0 to 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-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 power factor (closer to 1) indicates more efficient power usage, while lower power factors result in higher current requirements for the same real power.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). All values must be positive numbers with power factor between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is line-to-line voltage?
A: Line-to-line voltage is the voltage measured between any two phase conductors in a three-phase system.

Q2: How does this differ from single-phase power calculation?
A: Single-phase power is simply P = V × I × PF. Three-phase power includes the √3 factor to account for the phase relationships.

Q3: What is a typical power factor value?
A: For resistive loads it's 1.0, for motors typically 0.8-0.95, and for heavily inductive loads it can be much lower.

Q4: Can I use this for DC circuits?
A: No, this is specifically for AC circuits. DC power is simply P = V × I.

Q5: What if my system is unbalanced?
A: This calculator assumes a balanced three-phase system. For unbalanced systems, you would need to calculate power for each phase separately.