1. What is 3-Phase Panel Load?

The 3-phase panel load represents the total power consumption in a three-phase electrical system, measured in kilowatts (kW). It's essential for proper sizing of electrical equipment and ensuring system safety.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Line-to-line voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0-1)
• 1.732 — √3 (constant for 3-phase systems)

Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and converts the result to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.

3. Importance of Load Calculation

Details: Accurate load calculation is crucial for proper electrical system design, preventing overloads, ensuring equipment longevity, and maintaining safety standards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for most industrial loads). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between line and phase voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line voltage is between any two lines, while phase voltage is between any line and neutral (line voltage = phase voltage × √3).

Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Power factor ranges from 0 to 1. Industrial loads typically have 0.8-0.95, while purely resistive loads have 1.0.

Q3: Why multiply by 1.732 (√3)?
A: This accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems, representing the vector sum of the three phases.

Q4: How does this differ from single-phase calculation?
A: Single-phase uses V×I×PF/1000 without the 1.732 multiplier, as there's no phase difference to consider.

Q5: When should I use this calculation?
A: Use for sizing circuit breakers, wires, transformers, and other components in three-phase electrical systems.