1. What is Power Consumption?

Power consumption refers to the amount of electrical energy used by a device or system over time. It is measured in watts (W) and represents the rate at which electrical energy is converted into other forms of energy.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the AC power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, 0 to 1)

Explanation: This formula calculates the real power consumed in an AC circuit, accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current through the power factor.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for electrical system design, energy efficiency analysis, circuit protection sizing, and cost estimation of electrical consumption.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (0 to 1). For DC circuits or purely resistive AC loads, use power factor = 1. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor and why is it important?
A: Power factor represents the efficiency of power usage in AC systems. A lower power factor indicates more reactive power and less efficient energy transfer.

Q2: When should I use power factor less than 1?
A: Use PF < 1 for inductive loads (motors, transformers) or capacitive loads where current and voltage are out of phase.

Q3: What's the difference between real power and apparent power?
A: Real power (P) is the actual power consumed, while apparent power (S = V×I) is the product of voltage and current. Power factor = P/S.

Q4: How does this apply to three-phase systems?
A: For three-phase systems, the formula becomes P = √3 × V × I × PF, where V is line-to-line voltage.

Q5: Can I use this for DC power calculation?
A: Yes, for DC circuits, use PF = 1 since there's no phase difference between voltage and current.