1. What is a kW to Amp 3 Phase Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts electrical power in kilowatts (kW) to current in amperes (A) for three-phase AC systems.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and technicians determine the current draw of three-phase electrical equipment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( P_{kW} \) — Power (kilowatts)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula converts kW to watts (×1000), then divides by the product of voltage, power factor, and √3 (1.732) for three-phase systems.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Current Calculation

Details: Accurate current calculation ensures proper wire sizing, circuit breaker selection, and prevents electrical system overloads.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the power in kW, line voltage (default 480V), and power factor (default 0.8). All values must be > 0, with PF 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, ranging from 0 to 1. Most industrial equipment has PF between 0.8-0.95.

Q2: Why √3 in the formula?
A: The √3 accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems (120° between phases).

Q3: What voltage should I use?
A: Use line-to-line voltage (common values: 208V, 240V, 480V, 600V).

Q4: Does this work for single-phase?
A: No, for single-phase use: I = P × 1000 / (V × PF).

Q5: What if power factor is unknown?
A: Use 0.8 as a conservative estimate for motors, or 1.0 for resistive loads.