1. What is a 3 Phase Wattage Calculator?

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

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and the phase relationship between voltage and current.

3. Importance of 3 Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for proper equipment sizing, energy efficiency analysis, and electrical system design.

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, and power factor 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 industrial motors, it's typically 0.8-0.9. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads have lower PF.

Q3: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The formula uses line-to-line voltage (the voltage between any two phases).

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P = V×I×PF, without the √3 factor which accounts for three-phase relationships.

Q5: Can I calculate kilowatts instead of watts?
A: Simply divide the result by 1000 to convert watts to kilowatts.