Input values explained
- Current type
- The current type determines whether the calculation uses factor 2 for outgoing and return conductors or √3 for balanced three-phase power.
- Power in watts
- Use the electrical active power drawn by the load. A nameplate, data sheet or power meter is more reliable than an estimate.
- Voltage
- Match the voltage to the selected electrical system. Single-phase calculations use line-to-neutral voltage, while three-phase calculations use voltage between two line conductors.
- Power factor cos φ
- cos φ is the ratio of active to apparent power. It is close to 1 for resistive heating loads; use the data-sheet value for motors and transformers.