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)
• \( V \) — 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, and divided by 1000 to convert to kilowatts.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. A higher power factor (closer to 1) indicates more efficient power usage.

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 power factor ≤ 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Common power factors range from 0.8 to 0.95 for most electrical equipment. Resistive loads have PF=1.

Q2: Why divide by 1000?
A: The division converts watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 W).

Q3: Does this work for DC circuits?
A: For DC, use PF=1 since there's no reactive power in direct current systems.

Q4: How do I measure current and voltage?
A: Use a multimeter to measure voltage across and current through the load.

Q5: What if my power factor is unknown?
A: For estimation, use 0.8 for general loads or 0.95 for power-corrected systems.