The Formula
2. Math Doesn’t Have to Be Scary!
Okay, brace yourselves. Were about to do a little math, but I promise it won’t be painful. The formula to calculate the amperage of a 3-phase system is: Amps = (kVA 1000) / (3 Voltage). Let’s break that down piece by piece, like dissecting a frog… but much less messy and with considerably more practical applications. kVA is, of course, the kilovolt-amperes we’ve already discussed. That “1000” is there to convert kVA to VA (volt-amperes).
Next up, we have 3. This is the square root of 3, which is approximately 1.732. This constant pops up in 3-phase calculations because of the way the three phases interact. It’s just one of those things you have to accept, like the fact that cats will always knock things off shelves. Finally, we have Voltage. This is the line-to-line voltage of your system. Common voltages in North America include 208V, 480V, and 600V. Make sure you know your system’s voltage before you proceed.
So, let’s plug in some numbers. Say your system is 45 kVA and operates at 480V. Then the formula becomes: Amps = (45 1000) / (1.732 480). Now, just do the math. 45 1000 = 45000. 1.732 480 = 831.36. So, Amps = 45000 / 831.36. This gives us approximately 54.13 amps. Thats it! Youve successfully calculated the amperage. Time to celebrate with a slice of that metaphorical pizza.
Don’t worry if you’re not a math whiz. There are plenty of online calculators that can do the work for you. Just plug in the kVA and voltage, and the calculator will spit out the amperage. But knowing the formula is still helpful for understanding what’s going on behind the scenes. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your friends at parties. Who doesn’t love a good amperage calculation at a party?