1. What is a 3 Phase Power Consumption Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for three-phase electrical systems.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, facility managers, and technicians calculate power usage for three-phase equipment and systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( E_{kWh} \) — Energy consumption (kilowatt-hours)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0-1)
• \( t \) — Time (hours)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases (√3 factor) and converts watts to kilowatts (/1000).

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power consumption calculations are essential for energy monitoring, cost estimation, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the system voltage, current, power factor (default 0.8), and operating time in hours. All values must be > 0, with PF between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor and why does it matter?
A: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. It accounts for phase differences between voltage and current in AC systems.

Q2: What's a typical power factor value?
A: For industrial motors, PF is typically 0.8-0.9. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads have lower PF.

Q3: Why is there a √3 in the formula?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems (120° between phases).

Q4: Can I use this for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase use \( E_{kWh} = (V × I × PF × t) / 1000 \) (without the √3 factor).

Q5: How do I find the current if I only know power?
A: For 3-phase: \( I = P / (V × PF × √3) \), where P is in watts.