1. What is a 3-Phase Wattage Calculator?

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

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and technicians determine the power consumption or generation in three-phase systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Power in watts
• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage in volts
• \( A \) — Current in amps
• \( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The square root of 3 (≈1.732) accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems.

3. Importance of 3-Phase Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for proper equipment sizing, energy efficiency, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (default 0.8). Power factor must be between 0 and 1.

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 motors, 0.8-0.9 is common. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads have lower PF.

Q3: Is this for line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltage?
A: The formula uses line-to-line voltage (phase-to-phase voltage).

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

Q5: How does this relate to kilowatts?
A: 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts. Divide the result by 1000 to get kW.