1. What is Single Phase Load Calculation?

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

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Real power (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — 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, converted to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of Single Phase Load Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper sizing of electrical components, prevents circuit overloads, and helps in energy efficiency planning.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the 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 residential loads, it's typically 0.8-0.95. Motors may have lower PF (0.6-0.8), while resistive loads like heaters have PF=1.

Q3: Why divide by 1000?
A: This converts watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 W), which is a more practical unit for most power measurements.

Q4: Does this work for DC circuits?
A: For DC, use PF=1 since there's no reactive power in DC systems.

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