1. What is the 3 Phase Power Formula?

The 3-phase power formula calculates current (amperes) from energy consumption (kilowatt-hours) by accounting for voltage, power factor, and time period. It's essential for electrical system design and analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( kWh \) — Energy consumption in kilowatt-hours
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage in volts (V)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
• \( h \) — Time period in hours
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula converts energy (kWh) to power (kW), then calculates current by accounting for the 3-phase power factor and voltage.

3. Importance of Current Calculation

Details: Accurate current calculation is crucial for sizing wires, circuit breakers, and other electrical components to ensure safe and efficient operation of 3-phase systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter energy consumption in kWh, line-to-line voltage in volts, power factor (typically 0.8-1.0), and time period in hours. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing efficiency of power usage (1.0 is ideal, typical values 0.8-0.95).

Q2: Why use line-to-line voltage?
A: 3-phase calculations typically use line-to-line voltage (between any two phases) rather than line-to-neutral voltage.

Q3: What if I don't know the power factor?
A: For resistive loads (heaters, incandescent lights) use 1.0. For motors, 0.8-0.95 is typical. When in doubt, use 0.85.

Q4: Can I use this for single-phase systems?
A: No, this formula is specifically for 3-phase systems. Single-phase uses a different formula without the √3 factor.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It's mathematically precise for the given inputs. Accuracy depends on correct measurement of kWh, voltage, and power factor.