Three-Phase Power - Equations

Calculate three-phase power parameters including real power, apparent power, and brake horsepower using line-to-line or line-to-neutral voltages.

Three-Phase Power Calculator

This calculator computes real power, apparent power, and brake horsepower for three-phase AC systems. Three sinusoidal voltages are generated out of phase with each other.

Power Types:

  • Real Power (W): Actual power consumed by resistive loads
  • Apparent Power (VA): Total power in the circuit
  • Brake Horsepower (hp): Actual power delivered to/by a shaft
Calculator

Inputs

Results

Real Power-- W
Real Power-- kW
Apparent Power-- VA
Brake Horsepower-- hp

Equations

Real Power (Line to Line):

  • W = √3 × Ull × I × PF

Real Power (Line to Neutral):

  • W = 3 × Uln × I × PF

Apparent Power:

  • W = √3 × U × I (line to line)
  • W = 3 × U × I (line to neutral)

Brake Horsepower:

  • BHP = (√3 × U × I × PF × μ) / 746

where:

  • U = Voltage (V)
  • I = Current (A)
  • PF = Power Factor (0.7 - 0.95)
  • μ = Device Efficiency
  • √3 ≈ 1.732

Typical Power Factors

DevicePower Factor
Lamp, fluorescent uncompensated0.5
Lamp, fluorescent compensated0.93
Lamp, incandescent1.0
Motor, induction 100% load0.85
Motor, induction 50% load0.73
Motor, induction 0% load0.17
Motor, synchronous0.9
Oven, resistive heating element1.0
Oven, induction compensated0.85
Pure resistive load1.0