1. What is the Power Formula?

The power formula (P = V × I × PF) calculates electrical power in watts from voltage, current, and power factor. It's fundamental for determining energy consumption and electrical system requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 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: For DC circuits or AC circuits with purely resistive loads, the power factor is 1. For AC circuits with reactive components, the power factor is less than 1.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating power is essential for sizing electrical components, determining energy consumption, and ensuring electrical systems operate within safe limits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (0 to 1). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, power factor between 0-1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing how effectively current is converted to useful work. It ranges from 0 to 1.

Q2: When should I use a power factor less than 1?
A: For AC circuits with inductive or capacitive loads (motors, transformers, etc.), use the actual power factor. For DC or purely resistive AC circuits, use 1.

Q3: How does this relate to energy consumption?
A: Power (watts) multiplied by time (hours) gives energy consumption (watt-hours). 1000 watt-hours = 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh).

Q4: What's the difference between real power and apparent power?
A: Real power (watts) does actual work. Apparent power (VA) is the product of voltage and current. Power factor = real power / apparent power.

Q5: Can I use this for three-phase power calculations?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, multiply the result by √3 (about 1.732). For unbalanced systems, calculate each phase separately.