3-Phase Motor Power Formula:
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The 3-phase motor power calculation determines the real power output of an electric motor based on voltage, current, power factor, and efficiency. This is essential for proper motor sizing and electrical system design.
The calculator uses the 3-phase power formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula accounts for all three phases in the system and converts the result to kilowatts (kW) by dividing by 1000.
Details: Accurate power calculation helps in selecting proper motor sizes, determining electrical load requirements, and ensuring efficient energy use in industrial applications.
Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, line current in amperes, power factor (typically 0.8-0.95), and motor efficiency (typically 0.85-0.95 for most industrial motors).
Q1: What's the difference between line and phase voltage?
A: In 3-phase systems, line voltage is between any two lines, while phase voltage is between any line and neutral. For delta connections, they're equal; for wye, line voltage is √3 × phase voltage.
Q2: Why is power factor important?
A: Power factor indicates how effectively current is being converted into useful work. Low power factor means more current is needed for the same real power, increasing system losses.
Q3: What's a typical motor efficiency?
A: Standard efficiency motors range 85-93%, while premium efficiency motors can reach 94-96%. Efficiency decreases with motor size and age.
Q4: Can I use this for single-phase motors?
A: No, single-phase motors use a different formula (Power = Voltage × Current × Power Factor × Efficiency / 1000).
Q5: How does voltage affect motor power?
A: Motors are designed for specific voltages. Operating at lower voltage increases current draw and reduces power output, while higher voltage can damage insulation.