1. What is the Motor Power Formula?

The motor power formula (P = V × I × PF) calculates the real power consumption of an AC motor. It takes into account the voltage, current, and power factor to determine the actual power being used.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the motor power equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula accounts for both the apparent power (V × I) and the efficiency represented by the power factor.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is crucial for sizing motors, determining electrical system requirements, and calculating energy consumption and costs.

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 valid (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 typical power factor for motors?
A: Most AC motors have power factors between 0.80-0.95 when fully loaded, but this drops significantly at partial loads.

Q3: How is this different from DC motor power?
A: For DC motors, power is simply V × I since there's no power factor consideration (PF = 1).

Q4: Why does power factor matter?
A: Low power factor means higher current is needed for the same real power, increasing energy losses in distribution systems.

Q5: Can this calculate three-phase power?
A: For three-phase systems, the formula becomes P = √3 × V × I × PF (line-to-line voltage).