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 is essential for proper circuit design, load balancing, energy efficiency analysis, and electrical safety.

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 PF 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 circuits, PF is typically 0.8-0.95. Industrial loads may have lower power factors.

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, for DC set PF=1 (DC has no reactive power).

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