Single Phase Power Consumption Calculator

Power Consumption Formula:

\[ E_{kWh} = \frac{V \times I \times PF \times t}{1000} \]

Voltage (V):

volts

Current (I):

amps

Power Factor (PF):

Time (t):

hours

Energy Consumption (E_kWh): kWh

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Single Phase Power Consumption?

Definition: This calculator estimates the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for single-phase electrical systems.

Purpose: It helps homeowners, electricians, and engineers calculate power usage for appliances, circuits, or entire buildings.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ E_{kWh} = \frac{V \times I \times PF \times t}{1000} \]

Where:

$ E_{kWh} $ — Energy consumption (kilowatt-hours)
$ V $ — Voltage (volts)
$ I $ — Current (amperes)
$ PF $ — Power factor (unitless, 0-1)
$ t $ — Time (hours)

Explanation: The formula multiplies voltage, current, power factor, and time, then divides by 1000 to convert watt-hours to kilowatt-hours.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power consumption estimates help with energy management, cost calculations, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the voltage (typically 120V or 240V for residential), current (from device specs or measurement), power factor (default 0.9), and operating time in hours.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor (0-1) represents the efficiency of power usage. Resistive loads (heaters) have PF≈1, while inductive loads (motors) have lower PF.

Q2: How do I find the current value?
A: Check device nameplate, use a clamp meter, or divide wattage by voltage (I = P/V).

Q3: What's a typical power factor?
A: 1.0 for resistive loads, 0.8-0.95 for motors, 0.6-0.8 for older equipment.

Q4: Can I calculate cost from this result?
A: Yes, multiply kWh by your electricity rate (e.g., $0.12/kWh).

Q5: Does this work for DC circuits?
A: Yes, use PF=1 for DC calculations.