1. What is 3 Phase Wattage?

Three-phase wattage represents the real power in a three-phase electrical system. It's the actual power consumed by the system after accounting for voltage, current, and the power factor.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation calculates real power in watts by accounting for the phase relationship in three-phase systems and the power factor which represents the ratio of real power to apparent power.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor (PF) is crucial in power calculations as it represents the efficiency of power usage. A PF of 1 means all power is real power (resistive loads), while lower PF indicates reactive power (inductive or capacitive loads).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (between 0 and 1). For purely resistive loads, use PF=1. For motors or inductive loads, typical PF ranges from 0.8 to 0.95.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line-to-line voltage is √3 times the line-to-neutral voltage. This calculator uses line-to-line voltage.

Q2: Why is √3 used in 3-phase calculations?
A: The √3 factor accounts for the 120° phase difference between the three phases in a balanced system.

Q3: What's a typical power factor value?
A: Resistive loads have PF=1. Induction motors typically have PF=0.8-0.9. Power factor correction can improve PF to near 1.

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase power calculation?
A: Single-phase power is V×I×PF without the √3 factor. Three-phase systems are more efficient for power distribution.

Q5: Can I use this for DC systems?
A: No, DC power is simply V×I. This calculator is specifically for 3-phase AC systems.