1. What is 3-Phase Current?

The 3-phase current is the current flowing in each phase of a three-phase electrical system. It's calculated based on the total power, line-to-line voltage, and power factor of the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase current formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Phase current (Amperes)
• \( P \) — Total power (Watts)
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (Volts)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0-1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the balanced three-phase power system where current is distributed equally across all three phases.

3. Importance of Current Calculation

Details: Accurate current calculation is crucial for sizing circuit breakers, conductors, transformers, and other electrical equipment in three-phase systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power in watts, line-to-line voltage in volts, and power factor (0-1). All values must be positive numbers (power > 0, voltage > 0, 0 < PF ≤ 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line and phase current?
A: In a balanced 3-phase system, line current equals phase current in star (wye) connection, while in delta connection, line current is √3 times phase current.

Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Power factor typically ranges from 0.8 to 1.0 for most industrial loads. 1.0 represents purely resistive load.

Q3: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, this is specifically for balanced three-phase systems. Single-phase uses I = P/(V×PF).

Q4: What if my system is unbalanced?
A: This calculator assumes balanced load. For unbalanced systems, each phase must be calculated separately.

Q5: Does this account for efficiency?
A: No, this calculates theoretical current. For actual current, divide result by efficiency if known.