1. What is a 3-Phase Ampere to Watt Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts current (amperes) to power (watts) in 3-phase electrical systems.

Purpose: It helps electricians and engineers determine the power consumption or generation in 3-phase AC circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_w \) — Power in watts
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage in volts
• \( I \) — Current in amperes
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and the phase difference between voltage and current.

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 amperes, and power factor (default 0.8). All values must be > 0, with PF ≤ 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 current is being converted into useful work.

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

Q3: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: This formula uses line-to-line (phase-to-phase) voltage, which is standard for 3-phase power calculations.

Q4: Can I use this for DC circuits?
A: No, for DC circuits use P = V × I (no power factor or √3 needed).

Q5: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P = V × I × PF without the √3 factor.