Three Phase Amps Calculator

Three Phase Amps Formula:

\[ I = \frac{P}{V \times \sqrt{3} \times PF} \]

Current (I):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is the Three Phase Amps Formula?

The Three Phase Amps Formula calculates electrical current in a three-phase system from power, voltage, and power factor. It's essential for electrical system design, load calculations, and equipment sizing in three-phase power systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Three Phase Amps Formula:

\[ I = \frac{P}{V \times \sqrt{3} \times PF} \]

Where:

\( I \) — Current in amps
\( P \) — Power in watts
\( V \) — Voltage in volts
\( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, 0-1)
\( \sqrt{3} \) — Approximately 1.732 (dimensionless)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the three-phase power system characteristics, where √3 represents the phase relationship between the three phases in a balanced system.

3. Importance of Current Calculation

Details: Accurate current calculation is crucial for proper electrical system design, circuit breaker sizing, wire gauge selection, and ensuring equipment operates within safe current limits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power in watts, voltage in volts, and power factor as a decimal between 0 and 1. All values must be positive numbers with power factor between 0 and 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor and why is it important?
A: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. It's important because it affects the actual current drawn by inductive loads like motors and transformers.

Q2: When should I use this three-phase formula instead of single-phase?
A: Use this formula for three-phase AC systems. For single-phase systems, use I = P / (V × PF).

Q3: What are typical power factor values?
A: Power factor typically ranges from 0.7 to 1.0. Motors may have 0.8-0.9 PF, while heavily inductive loads can have lower values. Unity (1.0) is ideal but rarely achieved.

Q4: Can this formula be used for both delta and wye configurations?
A: Yes, the formula works for both delta and wye configurations when using line-to-line voltage and three-phase power.

Q5: What if I have kilowatts instead of watts?
A: Convert kilowatts to watts by multiplying by 1000 before using the calculator (1 kW = 1000 watts).