1. What is Electric Motor Horsepower?

Horsepower (HP) is a unit of measurement for power, representing the rate at which work is done. For electric motors, it indicates the mechanical output power the motor can deliver.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the electric motor horsepower formula:

Where:

• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0-1)
• \( \eta \) — Efficiency (unitless, 0-1)
• 746 — Conversion factor from watts to horsepower

Explanation: The formula calculates the mechanical power output by accounting for electrical input power (V × I) and adjusting for power factor and motor efficiency.

3. Importance of Horsepower Calculation

Details: Knowing a motor's horsepower is essential for proper motor selection, sizing mechanical systems, and ensuring the motor can handle the required load without overheating or failing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amps, power factor (typically 0.8-0.95), and efficiency (typically 0.8-0.95 for most motors). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between input and output horsepower?
A: Input HP is electrical power consumed, while output HP is mechanical power delivered. This calculator finds output HP after accounting for efficiency losses.

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Power factor represents the phase difference between voltage and current. Lower PF means more current is needed for the same real power, affecting system sizing.

Q3: What's a typical efficiency for electric motors?
A: Standard efficiency motors are typically 85-90%, while premium efficiency motors can reach 92-96%.

Q4: Can I use this for three-phase motors?
A: Yes, but you'll need to multiply by √3 (1.732) for three-phase power calculations.

Q5: How does horsepower relate to torque?
A: HP = (Torque × RPM)/5252. Horsepower describes work over time, while torque describes rotational force.