1. What is Single-Phase Power Calculation?

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

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Real power (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — RMS voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — RMS current (amps)
• \( PF \) — 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, and 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.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). All values must be > 0, and power factor must be ≤ 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 residential loads, power factor is typically 0.8-0.95. Industrial motors might have 0.7-0.9.

Q3: Why divide by 1000?
A: This converts the result from watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 W).

Q4: Does this work for DC circuits?
A: Yes, but set power factor to 1 since DC has no reactive power.

Q5: How do I measure voltage and current?
A: Use a multimeter or clamp meter to measure RMS values in the circuit.