1. What is Single Phase Power?

Single phase power is a two-wire alternating current (AC) power circuit where the voltage changes simultaneously. It's commonly used in residential applications for lighting, heating, and small appliances.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the single phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in Watts
• \( V \) — Voltage in Volts
• \( I \) — Current in Amperes
• \( PF \) — Power Factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power (in Watts) by multiplying voltage, current, and power factor. For purely resistive loads, power factor is 1.

3. Importance of Power Factor

Details: Power factor represents the ratio of real power flowing to the load to the apparent power in the circuit. A low power factor indicates poor electrical efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (between 0 and 1). For purely resistive loads like heaters and incandescent lights, use PF=1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between single phase and three phase power?
A: Single phase has one alternating voltage, while three phase has three voltages offset by 120°. Three phase is more efficient for large loads.

Q2: What is a typical power factor value?
A: Resistive loads have PF=1. Motors typically have PF=0.8-0.9. Electronic devices can have PF as low as 0.5-0.6.

Q3: How do I measure current and voltage?
A: Use a multimeter - measure voltage across the load and current in series with the load.

Q4: Why is my calculated power different from the appliance rating?
A: Appliance ratings show maximum power. Actual power depends on operating conditions and power factor.

Q5: Can I use this for DC circuits?
A: For DC, the formula simplifies to P=V×I (power factor is always 1 in DC circuits).