1. What is the 3 Phase Power Formula?

The 3 phase power formula calculates the real power in a three-phase electrical system. It accounts for the voltage, current, power factor, and the √3 factor that comes from the phase relationship in three-phase systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3 phase power formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates real power (in watts) by accounting for both the magnitude and phase relationship of voltage and current in three-phase systems.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for sizing electrical equipment, determining energy consumption, and designing efficient electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor as a decimal between 0 and 1. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line and phase voltage?
A: In three-phase systems, line voltage is between two phases, while phase voltage is between a phase and neutral. The calculator uses line voltage.

Q2: 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.

Q3: Why is √3 used in the formula?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the 120° phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q4: Can this be used for single-phase systems?
A: No, for single-phase systems use P = V × I × PF (without the √3 factor).

Q5: What are typical power factor values?
A: Power factor ranges from 0 to 1, with 1 being ideal. Motors typically have PFs of 0.8-0.9, while heavily inductive loads may be lower.