Power Formula:
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Definition: This calculator estimates the power consumption in kilowatts (kW) for single-phase electrical systems based on voltage, current, and power factor.
Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and homeowners determine the power requirements of single-phase electrical devices and systems.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The product of voltage and current gives apparent power, which is then multiplied by the power factor to get real power, and divided by 1000 to convert to kilowatts.
Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper sizing of electrical components, circuit protection, and energy efficiency in single-phase systems.
Tips: Enter the voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). All values must be > 0, with power factor between 0 and 1.
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 residential applications, 0.8 is common. Motors might have 0.85-0.9, while purely resistive loads (heaters) have 1.0.
Q3: Why divide by 1000?
A: This converts watts to kilowatts (1 kW = 1000 W), which is a more practical unit for most power measurements.
Q4: Does this work for three-phase systems?
A: No, this is for single-phase only. Three-phase requires a different calculation involving √3 (1.732).
Q5: How do I measure volts and amps?
A: Use a multimeter to measure voltage and a clamp meter to measure current in the circuit.