1. What is 3-Phase kWh Calculation?

The 3-phase kilowatt-hour calculation determines the energy consumption of a three-phase electrical system. It accounts for the balanced three-phase power delivery common 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)
• \( h \) — Operating time (hours)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power consumption by accounting for the phase relationship in three-phase systems and converting watts to kilowatt-hours.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate kWh calculation is essential for energy monitoring, cost estimation, generator sizing, and electrical system efficiency analysis in three-phase applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amperes, power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for motors), and operating time in hours. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between single-phase and three-phase kWh?
A: Three-phase systems use √3 (1.732) factor and line-to-line voltage, while single-phase uses simple V×I without the √3 factor.

Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Induction motors typically 0.8-0.9, resistive loads 1.0. Lower PF means more apparent power for same real power.

Q3: Is this formula for balanced three-phase systems?
A: Yes, this assumes balanced load across all three phases. Unbalanced systems require more complex calculations.

Q4: Can I use this for generator output estimation?
A: Yes, this calculates energy output when you know voltage, current, and operating time.

Q5: How does this relate to utility billing?
A: Utilities typically bill based on kWh consumption calculated this way, though they may add demand charges.