1. What is Three Phase Power Calculation?

Definition: This calculator computes the real power in kilowatts (kW) for a three-phase electrical system.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and electricians determine the actual power consumption in three-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, between 0 and 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula calculates the actual power being used (real power) as opposed to just the apparent power (VA).

3. Importance of Three Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for proper equipment sizing, energy efficiency analysis, and electrical system design.

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

Q3: Is this formula for line or phase values?
A: This formula uses line-to-line voltage and line current (most common measurement scenario).

Q4: Why divide by 1000?
A: The division converts watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 W).

Q5: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P=VI×PF, while three-phase includes the √3 factor to account for phase relationships.