1. What is a 3-Phase Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the power in kilowatts (kW) for a three-phase electrical system based on voltage, current, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and electricians determine the power consumption or generation in three-phase systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Power in 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 accounts for all three phases in the system and converts the result to kilowatts.

3. Importance of 3-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). 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.

Q2: What's a typical power factor value?
A: For industrial loads, 0.8 is common. Motors typically have 0.85-0.9, while purely resistive loads have 1.0.

Q3: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The formula uses line-to-line (phase-to-phase) voltage.

Q4: How do I find the current if I know the power?
A: Rearrange the formula: \( I = \frac{P_{kW} \times 1000}{V \times PF \times \sqrt{3}} \)

Q5: What's the difference between kW and kVA?
A: kW is real power, while kVA is apparent power (kW divided by power factor).