1. What is Motor Power Calculation?

The motor power calculation determines the electrical power consumed by a single-phase AC motor based on voltage, current, and power factor. This helps in sizing electrical components and assessing motor efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the single-phase power formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for both the real power (V×I) and the power factor which represents the phase difference between voltage and current in AC systems.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is crucial for proper electrical system design, circuit protection sizing, energy efficiency assessment, and motor performance evaluation.

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. It ranges from 0 to 1.

Q2: How do I measure current and voltage?
A: Use a multimeter or clamp meter to measure voltage (across the motor) and current (in series with the motor).

Q3: Why is my motor's power factor less than 1?
A: Motors are inductive loads, causing current to lag voltage. The difference results in a power factor less than 1.

Q4: Does this formula work for three-phase motors?
A: No, three-phase power calculation requires multiplying by √3 (1.732). The formula is \( P = \sqrt{3} \times V \times I \times PF \).

Q5: How can I improve motor power factor?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added to reduce phase difference between voltage and current.