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 energy auditors determine power usage in three-phase 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)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power consumption by accounting for all three phases and converting to kWh.

3. Importance of Power Consumption Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculations help in energy management, cost estimation, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, power factor (default 0.8), and operating time in hours. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between single-phase and three-phase power calculation?
A: Three-phase calculations include the √3 factor (≈1.732) to account for the phase relationships between the three conductors.

Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Most industrial loads have power factors between 0.8-0.95. The default of 0.8 is conservative for general calculations.

Q3: Should I use line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: This calculator uses line-to-line voltage (the voltage between any two phases).

Q4: How do I find the current if I only know power in kW?
A: You can rearrange the formula: \( I = \frac{P \times 1000}{V \times PF \times \sqrt{3}} \)

Q5: Does this account for motor efficiency?
A: No, this calculates electrical input power. For mechanical output power, multiply by the motor efficiency.