1. What is 3-Phase kWh Calculation?

The 3-phase kWh calculation determines the energy consumption of a three-phase electrical load over time. It accounts for the balanced three-phase power system commonly used in industrial and commercial applications.

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)
• \( h \) — Time duration (hours)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power consumption by accounting for all three phases and the power factor.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate 3-phase energy calculation is essential for electrical system design, energy monitoring, cost estimation, and equipment sizing in industrial and commercial settings.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, power factor (typically 0.8-1.0), and time duration in hours. All values must be positive numbers.

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 √3 times the line-to-neutral voltage (e.g., 400V line-to-line = 230V line-to-neutral).

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Power factor accounts for the phase difference between voltage and current, affecting real power consumption. Lower PF means more current is needed for the same real power.

Q3: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, for single-phase use: kWh = (V × I × PF × h) / 1000 (without the √3 factor).

Q4: What's typical power factor for different loads?
A: Resistive loads: ~1.0, Induction motors: 0.8-0.9, Fluorescent lighting: 0.5-0.9.

Q5: How does this relate to kW vs kVA?
A: kW is real power (what this calculates), kVA is apparent power (V×I). kW = kVA × PF.