1. What is Three Phase KVA?

Three Phase KVA (kilovolt-ampere) represents the apparent power in a three-phase electrical system. It's a crucial measurement for sizing electrical equipment and determining power requirements in industrial and commercial applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three phase power formula:

Where:

• \( S \) — Apparent power (kVA)
• \( I \) — Line current (Amperes)
• \( V_{LL} \) — Line-to-line voltage (Volts)
• \( \sqrt{3} \) — Constant for three-phase systems (≈1.732)

Explanation: The formula accounts for the phase relationship in three-phase systems, where power is distributed across three conductors.

3. Importance of Three Phase KVA Calculation

Details: Accurate three phase KVA calculation is essential for proper electrical system design, transformer sizing, circuit breaker selection, and load balancing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line current in amperes and line-to-line voltage in volts. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kVA and kW?
A: kVA measures apparent power (voltage × current), while kW measures real power. They differ by the power factor (kW = kVA × PF).

Q2: Why divide by 1000 in the formula?
A: The division converts the result from VA (volt-amperes) to kVA (kilovolt-amperes), which is a more practical unit for most applications.

Q3: Can I use this for single-phase calculations?
A: No, for single-phase systems use \( S = I \times V / 1000 \) (without the √3 factor).

Q4: What's typical line-to-line voltage in industrial systems?
A: Common voltages include 208V, 240V, 480V, and 600V in North America, and 380V, 400V, and 690V in other regions.

Q5: How does power factor affect this calculation?
A: This calculates apparent power (kVA). For real power (kW), multiply the result by the power factor (typically 0.8-0.95).