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Single-Phase Power Formula:
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Single-phase power is the distribution of alternating current electric power using a system in which all the voltages of the supply vary in unison. It is commonly used for residential and light commercial applications.
The calculator uses the single-phase power formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the real power in an AC circuit, accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current through the power factor.
Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for electrical system design, load analysis, energy consumption estimation, and proper sizing of electrical components and protection devices.
Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor as a decimal between 0 and 1. All values must be positive, with power factor between 0 and 1 inclusive.
Q1: What is power factor and why is it important?
A: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. It indicates how effectively electrical power is being used, with 1.0 being ideal.
Q2: What are typical power factor values?
A: Residential loads typically have power factors of 0.8-0.95, while industrial motors may have power factors as low as 0.6-0.8 without correction.
Q3: When should I use single-phase vs three-phase calculations?
A: Single-phase is for residential and light commercial applications. Three-phase is for industrial and heavy commercial applications with larger power requirements.
Q4: What is the difference between real power and apparent power?
A: Real power (watts) is the actual power consumed, while apparent power (VA) is the product of voltage and current. Power factor = real power ÷ apparent power.
Q5: How can I improve power factor?
A: Power factor can be improved by adding capacitors (power factor correction), using synchronous motors, or reducing inductive loads in the system.