1. What is the Amps to kW 3 Phase Formula?

Definition: This calculator converts electrical current (amps) to power (kilowatts) in a 3-phase AC system.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and electricians determine power consumption 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 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and converts watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for sizing electrical equipment, calculating energy costs, and ensuring system efficiency.

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 current is being converted into useful work (typically 0.8-0.95).

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

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: For motors, 0.8-0.9 is common. Resistive loads have PF=1. The default 0.8 is a good estimate for mixed loads.

Q4: Why is √3 used in the formula?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems (120° between phases).

Q5: How do I calculate single-phase power?
A: For single-phase: P(kW) = (V × I × PF) / 1000 (without the √3 factor).