Electronics

Electrical Power (P = VI)

Feed in RMS voltage, current, power factor, and system type to see real power (kW), apparent power (kVA), and reactive power (kVAR).

kWkVAthree phase
Electrical Power

Calculate real, apparent, and reactive power for single- or three-phase circuits using P = VI.

Real power (P)
4.56 kW
Apparent power (S)
4.8 kVA
Reactive power (Q)
1.499 kVAR
Power factor
0.950

AC power triangle

S = V·I·(√3 for 3φ)
P = S × PF
Q = √(S² − P²)

The calculator multiplies by √3 whenever you choose three-phase, so you only worry about line-to-line voltage and line current inputs.

How to use

  1. Select single-phase or three-phase.
  2. Enter voltage, current, and power factor.
  3. Review kW, kVA, kVAR, and the resulting power factor to size conductors or transformers appropriately.

Example

Input: Three-phase, 480 V, 40 A, PF = 0.92

Output: Real ≈ 30.6 kW, Apparent ≈ 33.3 kVA, Reactive ≈ 13.1 kVAR

Student-friendly breakdown

This walkthrough emphasizes the most searched ideas for Electrical Power (P = VI): Electrical Power (P = VI). Start with the formula above, then follow the guided steps to double-check your work. For quick revision, highlight the givens, plug into the equation, and finish by verifying your units.

Need more support? Use the links below to open the long-form guide, browse additional examples, or hop into adjacent calculators within the same topic. Each resource is interlinked so crawlers (and readers) can discover the next best action within a couple of clicks—one of the easiest ways to lift topical authority.

Deep dive & study plan

The Electrical Power (P = VI) is a go-to tool whenever you need to calculates real, apparent, and reactive power for single- or three-phase systems.. It focuses on kW, kVA, three phase, which means searchers often arrive with intent-heavy queries like “how to electrical power (p = vi) quickly” or “electrical power (p = vi) formula explained.” Use this calculator to capture those intents and keep learners on the page long enough to send positive engagement signals.

Under the hood, the calculator leans on the calculator multiplies by √3 whenever you choose three-phase, so you only worry about line-to-line voltage and line current inputs.—that’s why we surface the full expression (“S = V·I·(√3 for 3φ) P = S × PF Q = √(S² − P²)”) directly above the interactive widget. When you embed that formula inside H2s or supporting paragraphs, you help both humans and crawlers understand what entity the page represents.

Execution matters as much as the math. Follow the built-in procedure: Step 1: Select single-phase or three-phase. Step 2: Enter voltage, current, and power factor. Step 3: Review kW, kVA, kVAR, and the resulting power factor to size conductors or transformers appropriately.. Each numbered instruction is short enough to scan on mobile but descriptive enough to satisfy Google’s Helpful Content guidelines. Encourage students to jot down units, double-check signs, and compare answers with the Example card to build confidence.

The Example section itself is packed with semantic clues: “Three-phase, 480 V, 40 A, PF = 0.92” leading to “Real ≈ 30.6 kW, Apparent ≈ 33.3 kVA, Reactive ≈ 13.1 kVAR.” Pepper similar narratives throughout your copy (and internal links from related guides) so canonical search intents are answered without pogo-sticking back to Google.

Quick retention checklist

  • Speak the formula aloud (or annotate it) so the relationships stick.
  • Write each step in your own words and compare with the numbered list above.
  • Swap in new numbers for the Example to make sure the calculator (and your logic) handles edge cases.
  • Link out to at least two related calculators to keep readers exploring your topical hub.

FAQ & notes

Does it handle line-to-neutral measurements?

Yes. Use the voltage and current measured at the same point. For three-phase, enter line-to-line voltage and line current.

Can PF exceed 1?

No. Power factor is limited to ±1. The slider clamps inputs between 0 and 1 to keep calculations within physical bounds.

What formula does the Electrical Power (P = VI) use?

The calculator multiplies by √3 whenever you choose three-phase, so you only worry about line-to-line voltage and line current inputs.

How do I use the Electrical Power (P = VI)?

Select single-phase or three-phase. Enter voltage, current, and power factor. Review kW, kVA, kVAR, and the resulting power factor to size conductors or transformers appropriately.