1. What is 3 Phase Heater kW Calculation?

Definition: This calculator determines the power consumption in kilowatts (kW) of a three-phase electrical heater.

Purpose: It helps engineers and technicians properly size electrical systems and estimate energy usage for three-phase heating equipment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Power in kilowatts
• \( V \) — Line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0 to 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and converts the result to kilowatts.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper circuit sizing, prevents overloads, and helps estimate operating costs for industrial heating systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line voltage (typically 208V, 240V, 480V, etc.), current draw, and power factor (1.0 for resistive heaters). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is power factor 1.0 for heaters?
A: Heating elements are purely resistive loads, which means voltage and current are in phase (PF = 1.0).

Q2: What's the difference between line and phase voltage?
A: Line voltage is between any two phases, while phase voltage is between a phase and neutral. For balanced systems, line voltage = phase voltage × √3.

Q3: Can I use this for motors or other inductive loads?
A: Yes, but you must use the actual power factor (typically 0.8-0.9 for motors) rather than 1.0.

Q4: How do I find the current if I only know kW?
A: Rearrange the formula: \( I = \frac{P_{kW} \times 1000}{V \times PF \times \sqrt{3}} \)

Q5: Does this work for both delta and wye configurations?
A: Yes, as long as you use the correct line voltage value for your configuration.