1. What is a 3 Phase Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the real power in kilowatts (kW) for a three-phase electrical system based on voltage, current, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and technicians determine the actual power consumption in three-phase circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Example: For 400 V, 10 A, PF = 0.9 → P_kW = 400 × 10 × 0.9 × √3 / 1000 ≈ 6.24 kW

3. Importance of 3 Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper equipment sizing, energy efficiency, and electrical system safety.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line-to-line voltage (V), current (A), and power factor (default 0.9). All values must be > 0, with PF between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor (PF) is the ratio of real power to apparent power, ranging from 0 to 1. It represents how effectively current is being converted into useful work.

Q2: Why √3 in the formula?
A: The √3 accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems, converting line-to-line voltage to phase voltage.

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Industrial motors typically have PF of 0.8-0.9. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads have lower PF.

Q4: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The formula uses line-to-line voltage (typically 400V in many countries).

Q5: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P=VI×PF/1000 (without the √3 factor).