1. What is a 3-Phase kW Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes the real power in kilowatts for three-phase electrical systems.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and technicians determine the actual power consumption in three-phase circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and the power factor which represents the phase difference 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). The power factor must be between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is line-to-line voltage?
A: It's the voltage measured between any two of the three phases in a three-phase system.

Q2: Why is the power factor important?
A: The power factor indicates how effectively electrical power is being converted to useful work. Lower PF means more apparent power is needed for the same real power.

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Motors typically have 0.8-0.9 PF, lighting 0.95+, and heavily inductive loads may be 0.5 or lower.

Q4: Can I use this for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase use \( P_{kW} = (V \times I \times PF) / 1000 \) (without the √3 factor).

Q5: How does this differ from kVA calculation?
A: kW is real power while kVA is apparent power (V×I×√3/1000). kW = kVA × PF.