1. What is a Three Phase Current Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the current (in amps) in a three-phase electrical system based on power, voltage, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and technicians properly size electrical components and ensure safe operation of three-phase equipment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( P_{kW} \) — Power (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0-1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula converts kW to watts (×1000), then divides by the product of voltage, power factor, and the three-phase constant.

3. Importance of Three Phase Current Calculation

Details: Accurate current calculation is essential for proper wire sizing, circuit breaker selection, and preventing equipment damage from overload.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the power in kW, line-to-line voltage (default 480V), and power factor (default 0.85). Power factor must be between 0.01 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 to useful work (typically 0.8-0.95).

Q2: Why use line-to-line voltage?
A: Three-phase calculations typically use the voltage between any two phases (line-to-line) rather than line-to-neutral voltage.

Q3: What's a typical power factor?
A: Motors typically have 0.85 PF, while resistive loads have 1.0. Always check equipment specifications for exact values.

Q4: How do I find the power in kW?
A: Check equipment nameplate ratings or use power measurements. 1 HP ≈ 0.746 kW.

Q5: Does this work for single-phase systems?
A: No, use \( I = \frac{P \times 1000}{V \times PF} \) for single-phase calculations (without the √3 factor).