Watts to Amps Calculator 3 Phase Converter

3-Phase Power Formula:

\[ I = \frac{P}{\sqrt{3} \times V \times PF} \]

Current (I):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation converts electrical power (watts) to current (amperes) in a three-phase electrical system. This is essential for proper sizing of wires, circuit breakers, and other electrical components in industrial and commercial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

\[ I = \frac{P}{\sqrt{3} \times V \times PF} \]

Where:

\( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
\( P \) — Power in watts (W)
\( V \) — Line-to-line voltage in volts (V)
\( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
\( \sqrt{3} \) — Approximately 1.732 (constant for 3-phase systems)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the phase relationship in 3-phase systems and the efficiency factor (power factor) of the load.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the efficiency of power usage. A lower power factor means more current is required to deliver the same amount of real power. Typical values range from 0.8 to 0.95 for most industrial equipment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power in watts, line-to-line voltage in volts, and power factor (between 0 and 1). All values must be positive numbers. For resistive loads, power factor is typically 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line-to-line voltage is between any two phases, while line-to-neutral is between a phase and neutral. This calculator uses line-to-line voltage.

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

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Motors typically have 0.8-0.9, lighting 0.95, and resistive loads 1.0. Always check equipment specifications.

Q4: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, single-phase uses a different formula (I = P / (V × PF)) without the √3 factor.

Q5: How does this relate to kVA calculations?
A: Apparent power (kVA) = √3 × V × I. This calculator gives you I when you know the real power (kW).