1. What is 3-Phase Power?

Three-phase power is a common method of alternating current electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. It's more efficient than single-phase power for motors and heavy loads because the power transfer is constant.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage in volts
• \( I \) — Current in amps
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system, with the √3 factor converting between line and phase values.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for sizing electrical equipment, determining energy consumption, and ensuring system efficiency and safety.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for motors). All values must be positive numbers.

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 typical power factor for motors?
A: Induction motors typically have power factors between 0.8-0.95 when fully loaded, but lower when lightly loaded.

Q3: Should I use line or phase voltage?
A: Use line-to-line voltage (the voltage between any two phases) in this calculation.

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase power?
A: Single-phase power is P = V × I × PF (no √3 factor). Three-phase delivers more power with less conductor material.

Q5: What if I know kW instead of watts?
A: 1 kW = 1000 watts. The calculator shows watts, so divide kW result by 1000 if needed.