Home
Back
Three Phase kVA Formula:
| From: | To: |
The kW to kVA conversion calculates the apparent power (kVA) from real power (kW) in a three-phase electrical system using the power factor. This conversion is essential for proper electrical system design and equipment sizing.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power, indicating how effectively electrical power is being used.
Details: Power factor is crucial in electrical systems as it affects system efficiency, voltage regulation, and equipment capacity. A low power factor indicates poor electrical efficiency and may result in higher electricity costs.
Tips: Enter the real power in kilowatts and the power factor (value between 0.01 and 1.0). Both values must be positive numbers with power factor not exceeding 1.0.
Q1: What is the difference between kW and kVA?
A: kW (kilowatts) measures real power - the actual power doing work. kVA (kilovolt-amps) measures apparent power - the total power in the system including reactive power.
Q2: Why is power factor important in three-phase systems?
A: In three-phase systems, power factor affects the current flow and voltage drop. Improving power factor reduces line losses and improves system efficiency.
Q3: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Typical power factors range from 0.8 to 0.95 for most industrial loads. Ideal power factor is 1.0, but this is rarely achieved in practice.
Q4: Can power factor be greater than 1?
A: No, power factor is always between 0 and 1. A value of 1 indicates perfect efficiency where all power is real power.
Q5: How can power factor be improved?
A: Power factor can be improved by adding capacitors to the system, using synchronous motors, or reducing reactive power consumption through proper equipment selection and maintenance.