Single & three phase formulas

Power and kVA
QuantitySingle phaseThree phase (line values)
Apparent power (VA)V × I√3 × VL × IL
Real power (W)V × I × pf√3 × VL × IL × pf
kVA(V × I) ÷ 1000(√3 × VL × IL) ÷ 1000
Current from powerP ÷ (V × pf)P ÷ (√3 × VL × pf)

Motor current from horsepower: I = (HP × 746) ÷ (V × eff × pf), and for three phase divide again by √3 → I = (HP × 746) ÷ (√3 × VL × eff × pf). One horsepower is 746 watts; efficiency and power factor are fractions between 0 and 1.

These are physics relationships, safe to state. The nameplate full-load current of a specific motor, and any code full-load-current value, come from the nameplate and your code book — not from here.

√3 ≈ 1.732. pf = power factor. eff = efficiency.

Power factor and the wye/delta line-versus-phase distinction are explained in the glossary.

Learn one thing a week

Now and then a new diagram, drill, or reference sheet goes up. Leave your email for a short heads-up when it does — no spam, no selling it on, one click to leave.