1. What is the 3-Phase Electrical Load Calculation?

Definition: This calculator computes the power in watts for a 3-phase electrical system based on voltage, current, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electricians and engineers determine the power consumption or load in 3-phase electrical systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_w \) — Power in watts
• \( V \) — Line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Line current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for 3-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and the phase relationship between voltage and current.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for proper circuit sizing, load balancing, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line voltage in volts, line current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). All values must be > 0.

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 a typical power factor value?
A: For many industrial loads, it's typically 0.8-0.95. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads have lower PF.

Q3: Is this formula for line or phase values?
A: This formula uses line voltage and line current (not phase values).

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses P = V×I×PF without the √3 factor.

Q5: Can I calculate current from power with this?
A: Yes, rearrange the formula: I = P/(V×PF×√3).