1. What is the Electric Motor Power Formula?

The electric motor power formula (P = V × I × PF) calculates the real power consumption of an AC electric motor. It accounts for voltage, current, and the power factor which represents the phase difference between voltage and current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Real 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 calculates the actual power consumed by the motor, accounting for the efficiency of power delivery (power factor).

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is crucial for determining energy consumption, sizing electrical components, and calculating operating costs for electric motors.

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 positive (voltage > 0, current > 0, 0 < PF ≤ 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical power factor for electric motors?
A: Most AC induction motors have power factors between 0.80-0.95 when fully loaded. It drops significantly at partial loads.

Q2: How does this differ from apparent power?
A: Apparent power (VA) is V × I, while real power (W) is V × I × PF. Real power does the actual work.

Q3: Why is power factor important?
A: Low power factor means inefficient power delivery, potentially causing higher current draw and utility penalties.

Q4: Can I use this for DC motors?
A: For DC motors, simply use P = V × I since there's no power factor (PF = 1).

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical power consumption. Actual power may vary due to motor efficiency, load conditions, and harmonics.