1. What is the Motor Power Formula?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the motor power formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the actual power being used by the motor, as opposed to the apparent power (V×I) which doesn't account for power factor.

3. Importance of Motor Calculations

Details: Accurate motor power calculations are essential for proper electrical system design, energy efficiency assessments, and determining appropriate circuit protection.

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 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: What's a typical power factor for motors?
A: Induction motors typically have power factors between 0.8-0.95 when fully loaded, but this drops significantly at partial loads.

Q3: How does this differ from three-phase power calculation?
A: Three-phase adds a √3 factor: P = √3 × V × I × PF. This calculator is for single-phase systems.

Q4: Why is my motor drawing more current than calculated?
A: Startup currents (inrush) can be 5-7 times higher than running current. Efficiency losses also affect real-world performance.

Q5: Can I use this for DC motors?
A: For DC motors, simply P = V × I since there's no power factor consideration.