Insights and Expertise in Power Solutions

Explore a curated collection of articles by Will Gruver, offering decades of knowledge and innovation in energy and engineering.

Past Articles

Standard electrical formulas are essential for calculating power consumption accurately when sizing a power station. The basic formula for power (P) in watts is P=VIP = VI, where VV is voltage in volts, and II is current in amperes. For three-phase power, the formula adjusts to P=3×VI×PFP = \sqrt{3} \times VI \times \text{PF}, where PF stands for power factor, a measure of how effectively the power is used. These calculations help determine the total wattage requirement, ensuring that the power station can handle the load without frequent overloads, which can cause equipment failure and increased operational costs. Understanding these fundamentals enables engineers to design more efficient and reliable power solutions, considering peak loads and continuous operation needs.

Power Consumption Calculations Using Standard Electrical Formulas

TO DETERMINE: SINGLE-PHASE THREE-PHASE DIRECT
CURRENT
KVA I x E
1000
I x E x 1.73
1000
——–
Kilowatts I x E x PF
1000
I x E x 1.73 x PF
1000
I x E
1000
Horsepower I x E x %EFF x PF
746
I x E x 1.732 x %EFF x PF
746
I x E x %EFF
746
Amperes (when HP is known)     HP x 746
E x %EFF x PF
         HP x 746
1.73 x E x %EFF x PF
HP x 746
E x %EFF
Amperes (when kW is known) KW x 1000
E x PF
KW x 1000
1.73 x E x PF
KW x 1000
E
Amperes (when KVA is known) KVA x 1000
E
KVA x 1000
1.73 x E
——–
Share This