1. What is a Single Phase Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the real power in kilowatts 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 (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0-1)

Explanation: The product of voltage and current gives apparent power, which is then multiplied by the power factor to get real power, then converted to kilowatts.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper circuit design, prevents overloads, and helps estimate energy consumption and costs.

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 converted to useful work (typically 0.7-0.95).

Q2: When would I use 1 for power factor?
A: For purely resistive loads like heaters or incandescent lights where voltage and current are in phase.

Q3: How do I measure current and voltage?
A: Use a multimeter or clamp meter to measure RMS values in the circuit.

Q4: What's the difference between kW and kVA?
A: kW is real power (what you pay for), kVA is apparent power (V×I). kW = kVA × PF.

Q5: Can I use this for DC circuits?
A: Yes, but set PF=1 since DC has no phase difference between voltage and current.