Ohm's Law for Motors:
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The motor current calculation determines the electrical current required by a motor based on its power rating and the supply voltage. This is fundamental for proper circuit design and protection.
The calculator uses Ohm's Law for power:
Where:
Explanation: This simple relationship shows that current is directly proportional to power and inversely proportional to voltage.
Details: Accurate current calculation is essential for selecting proper wire sizes, circuit breakers, overload protection, and ensuring safe operation of electrical motors.
Tips: Enter power in watts and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the current in amperes.
Q1: Is this calculation valid for AC and DC motors?
A: This simple calculation works for DC motors. For AC motors, power factor and efficiency must be considered for precise calculations.
Q2: What's the difference between input power and output power?
A: This calculator uses input power (electrical power). Output power (mechanical power) would require knowing the motor's efficiency.
Q3: How does three-phase current calculation differ?
A: Three-phase calculations require an additional factor of √3 (1.732) in the denominator when using line-to-line voltage.
Q4: Why is current calculation important for motor starting?
A: Motors typically draw 5-7 times their rated current during startup, which affects protection device selection.
Q5: How does motor load affect current?
A: Current increases with mechanical load. Full-load current is typically marked on the motor nameplate.