1. What is a 3 Phase kWh Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) for three-phase electrical systems.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and facility managers determine energy usage for three-phase equipment and systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( kWh \) — Energy consumption (kilowatt-hours)
• \( V \) — Line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, 0-1)
• \( t \) — Time (hours)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the three-phase power characteristics by including the √3 factor, then converts to kWh by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of 3 Phase kWh Calculation

Details: Accurate energy calculation helps in power system design, energy monitoring, cost estimation, and efficiency analysis for industrial and commercial electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line voltage (V), current (A), power factor (default 0.8), and operating time (hours). All values must be > 0 (PF between 0 and 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is √3 used in three-phase calculations?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q2: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Most industrial equipment has PF between 0.8-0.95. Motors often operate around 0.85 PF.

Q3: Should I use line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: Use line-to-line voltage (the higher value) for standard three-phase calculations.

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses V×I×PF without the √3 factor and is typically for residential applications.

Q5: Can I use this for unbalanced three-phase systems?
A: This calculator assumes balanced load. For unbalanced systems, calculate each phase separately and sum the results.