1. What is 3-Phase Power Calculation?

Definition: This calculator determines the real power (in kilowatts) in a 3-phase electrical system based on voltage, current, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and technicians calculate the actual power consumption in 3-phase AC circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Real power (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and converts the result to kilowatts (divided by 1000).

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for sizing equipment, determining energy consumption, and ensuring electrical system safety.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). Power factor must be 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.

Q2: Why √3 in the formula?
A: The √3 accounts for the phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Motors typically have 0.8-0.9 PF, lighting 0.95+, and heavily inductive loads may be 0.5 or lower.

Q4: 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).

Q5: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P=VI×PF/1000 (without the √3 factor) and typically uses line-to-neutral voltage.