1. What is a 3 Phase Power Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and electricians determine the actual power consumption in three-phase AC 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 (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0 to 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases and converts the result to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for sizing electrical equipment, determining energy consumption, and ensuring system efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). All values must be > 0, with PF between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor 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: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Industrial loads typically range from 0.8 to 0.95. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads have lower power factors.

Q3: Is this formula for line or phase values?
A: The formula uses line-to-line voltage and line current (not phase values).

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P=VI×PF, while three-phase includes the √3 factor to account for phase relationships.

Q5: What if I know kW and want to find current?
A: Rearrange the formula: \( I = \frac{P_{kW} \times 1000}{V \times PF \times \sqrt{3}} \)