1. What is an AC Power Calculator for Single Phase?

Definition: This calculator computes the real power in kilowatts (kW) for single-phase alternating current (AC) electrical systems.

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Real power (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The product of voltage and current gives apparent power, which is then multiplied by the power factor to get real power, divided by 1000 to convert to kilowatts.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper sizing of electrical components, energy efficiency analysis, and cost estimation for electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

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

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 current is being converted into useful work.

Q2: What's a typical power factor value?
A: For most industrial loads, power factor ranges from 0.7 to 0.9. Resistive loads (like heaters) have PF=1, while inductive loads (like motors) have lower PF.

Q3: Why divide by 1000?
A: This converts watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 W), which is a more practical unit for most power measurements.

Q4: Does this work for DC circuits?
A: For DC, use P = V × I (power factor is always 1 in pure DC circuits).

Q5: How does this differ from three-phase power calculation?
A: Three-phase power includes an additional √3 factor in the calculation.