Total kW Three Phase Panel Formula

Total kW Formula for 3-Phase Panel:

\[ P_{kW} = \frac{\sum(V_i \times I_i \times PF_i \times \sqrt{3})}{1000} \]

Total Power (kW):

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1. What is the Total kW Three Phase Panel Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the total power in kilowatts (kW) for a three-phase electrical panel based on voltage, current, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and electricians determine the power consumption of three-phase systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ P_{kW} = \frac{V \times I \times PF \times \sqrt{3}}{1000} \]

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and converts the result to kilowatts.

3. Importance of Three-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for proper electrical system design, load balancing, and equipment sizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). All values must be > 0.

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 electrical power is being used (typically 0.8-0.95).

Q2: Is this formula for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The formula uses line-to-line voltage, which is standard for three-phase power calculations.

Q3: Why do we multiply by √3?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems and converts between line and phase quantities.

Q4: What's a typical power factor value?
A: For industrial loads, 0.8 is common. Motors typically have 0.85-0.9, while purely resistive loads have 1.0.

Q5: How does this differ from single-phase power calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P = V×I×PF/1000 without the √3 factor.