1. What is a 3 Phase kW Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and electricians determine the power consumption or generation in three-phase systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Power in kilowatts (kW)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 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 is essential for proper equipment sizing, energy efficiency, and electrical system design.

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, representing how effectively electrical power is being used (typically 0.8-0.95 for industrial loads).

Q2: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The calculator uses line-to-line voltage (the voltage between any two phases).

Q3: Why is √3 used in the formula?
A: The square root of 3 (≈1.732) accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems.

Q4: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Motors typically have PF of 0.8-0.9, while resistive loads have PF of 1.0. The default 0.8 is common for industrial applications.

Q5: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, for single-phase systems use P_kW = V × I × PF / 1000 (without the √3 factor).