1. What is Electric Motor Power Consumption?

Electric motor power consumption refers to the amount of electrical energy converted to mechanical energy (and some heat) by an electric motor. It's calculated using voltage, current, and power factor.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula accounts for both the real power (V × I) and the efficiency factor (PF) in AC circuits.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation helps in sizing electrical systems, estimating energy costs, and ensuring proper motor operation without overloading circuits.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for motors). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, 0 < PF ≤ 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing how effectively current is being converted into useful work.

Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor means more current is required for the same real power, leading to higher energy losses and larger equipment requirements.

Q3: What's a typical power factor for motors?
A: Induction motors typically have 0.8-0.9 PF at full load, dropping at lighter loads. Synchronous motors can achieve unity (1.0) PF.

Q4: How can I improve power factor?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added to the system to offset inductive loads and improve overall power factor.

Q5: Does this calculation work for three-phase motors?
A: For three-phase, multiply by √3 (about 1.732): P = √3 × V × I × PF.