1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

The 3-phase power calculation determines the real power (kW) in a three-phase electrical system using voltage, current, and power factor. It's essential for sizing electrical equipment and assessing power consumption in industrial and commercial settings.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)
• 1000 — Conversion factor from watts to kilowatts

Explanation: The formula accounts for the phase relationship in 3-phase systems and the power factor which represents the ratio of real power to apparent power.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor is crucial in AC circuits as it indicates how effectively electrical power is being converted to useful work. A low power factor (below 0.9) results in higher current draw and energy losses.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for industrial loads). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, PF between 0-1).

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 (phase-to-phase) voltage is √3 times higher than line-to-neutral voltage (e.g., 400V vs 230V).

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

Q3: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Induction motors typically have 0.85 PF, corrected to 0.95 with capacitors. Resistive loads have PF=1.

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

Q5: How does this relate to kVA?
A: kVA (apparent power) = kW / PF. When PF=1, kW = kVA.