1. What is 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 horsepower formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the actual 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, ensuring adequate power for the application, and preventing overload conditions.

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 the electrical power consumed, while output HP is the mechanical power delivered. This calculator determines output HP by accounting for efficiency losses.

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Power factor represents the phase difference between voltage and current in AC systems. Lower power factors mean more current is required for the same real power.

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: For three-phase motors, you would need to multiply by √3 (1.732) for line-to-line voltage measurements.

Q5: How does this relate to torque?
A: Horsepower = (Torque × RPM)/5252. This shows how speed and torque relate to power output.