1. What is Motor Power Calculation?

The motor power calculation determines the electrical power consumed by a single-phase AC motor. It's essential for proper motor sizing, energy efficiency analysis, and electrical system design.

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.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation helps in selecting proper motor protection devices, determining energy consumption, and ensuring the electrical system can handle the motor load.

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 and why does it matter?
A: Power factor represents the efficiency of power usage. Lower PF means more current is needed for the same real power, increasing system losses.

Q2: How does this differ for three-phase motors?
A: Three-phase power calculation includes a √3 factor: \( P = \sqrt{3} \times V \times I \times PF \).

Q3: What's typical power factor for motors?
A: Usually 0.8-0.95 for healthy motors. Lower values may indicate motor problems or light loading.

Q4: Should I use peak or RMS values?
A: Use RMS values for AC measurements, as these represent equivalent DC values.

Q5: How can I improve motor power factor?
A: Power factor correction capacitors can be added, especially for motors running at partial load.