1. What is 3-Phase kWh Calculation?

Definition: This calculator computes the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for three-phase electrical systems.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and facility managers estimate energy usage in industrial and commercial three-phase power systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( E_{kWh} \) — Energy in kilowatt-hours
• \( V \) — Line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0 to 1)
• \( t \) — Time (hours)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and converts the result to kilowatt-hours.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Energy Calculation

Details: Accurate energy calculation helps in power system design, energy monitoring, cost estimation, and efficiency improvements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line voltage, current, power factor (default 0.9), and operating time. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor and why is it important?
A: Power factor (0-1) represents the efficiency of power usage. Lower PF means more apparent power is needed for the same real power.

Q2: Is this formula for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The formula uses line-to-line voltage (phase-to-phase voltage) which is standard for three-phase calculations.

Q3: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses V×I×PF×t/1000 without the √3 factor. Three-phase systems are more efficient for power distribution.

Q4: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Industrial loads typically range from 0.8-0.95. Motors at full load might be 0.85, while heavily loaded systems approach 1.0.

Q5: Can I use this for DC systems?
A: No, for DC use E = V×I×t/1000 (no PF or √3 factors needed).