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3-Phase Power Formula:
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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 large industrial applications because it uses three conductors that carry alternating currents (of the same frequency) which reach their instantaneous peak values at different times.
The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates real power (kW) in a 3-phase system by accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current (power factor) and the three-phase configuration.
Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. A power factor of 1 means all power is real power (no reactive power). Lower power factors indicate inefficient power usage.
Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (between 0 and 1). Typical power factors are 0.8-0.95 for industrial loads. All values must be positive numbers.
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 any phase and neutral. Line-to-line is √3 times line-to-neutral.
Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: For industrial motors, 0.8-0.9 is common. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads (like motors) have lower PF.
Q3: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor means higher current for the same real power, increasing energy losses and requiring larger equipment.
Q4: Can this calculator be used for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase use the formula: kW = (V × I × PF)/1000 (without the √3 factor).
Q5: What's the difference between kW and kVA?
A: kW is real power (what does work), kVA is apparent power (V×I). kW = kVA × PF.