1. What is Single-Phase Power?

Single-phase power refers to a two-wire alternating current (AC) power circuit where the power supply voltage changes simultaneously. It is commonly used in residential and light commercial applications for lighting, heating, and small motor loads.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the single-phase 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: The formula calculates the real power in a single-phase 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, load analysis, energy consumption estimation, circuit protection sizing, and equipment selection in single-phase electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

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.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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. A lower power factor means more current is required for the same real power.

Q2: What are typical power factor values?
A: Power factor ranges from 0 to 1. Resistive loads (heaters, incandescent lights) have PF=1. Inductive loads (motors, transformers) typically have PF between 0.7-0.9.

Q3: When is single-phase power used?
A: Single-phase power is commonly used in residential buildings, small businesses, and for lighting and small appliances where power requirements are relatively low.

Q4: What's the difference between single-phase and three-phase power?
A: Single-phase uses two wires (hot and neutral) while three-phase uses three or four wires. Three-phase is more efficient for high-power applications and provides smoother power delivery.

Q5: How can I improve power factor?
A: Power factor can be improved by adding capacitors (power factor correction) to counteract inductive loads, reducing reactive power and improving system efficiency.