1. What is Motor Power Calculation?

The motor power calculation determines the electrical power consumed by a three-phase AC motor. It's essential for sizing electrical systems, determining energy consumption, and evaluating motor efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the three-phase power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts
• \( V \) — Line voltage in volts
• \( I \) — Line current in amps
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The square root of 3 (≈1.732) accounts for the phase difference in three-phase systems. The power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation helps in proper electrical system design, energy efficiency analysis, and preventing circuit overloads. It's crucial for industrial applications where motors are major power consumers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Measure voltage between any two phases (line-to-line voltage)
• Current should be measured for one phase
• Typical power factors range from 0.8 to 0.95 for efficient motors
• All values must be positive numbers

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the power factor important?
A: The power factor indicates how effectively electrical power is converted to useful work. A low PF means more current is needed for the same real power.

Q2: What's the difference between real and apparent power?
A: Real power (watts) does actual work, while apparent power (VA) is the product of voltage and current. The ratio is the power factor.

Q3: How can I improve motor power factor?
A: Use power factor correction capacitors, avoid motor underloading, and select properly sized motors.

Q4: Does this formula work for single-phase motors?
A: No, for single-phase use \( P = V \times I \times PF \) (without the √3 factor).

Q5: What affects motor power factor?
A: Load conditions (PF drops at partial loads), motor design, and operating speed all affect power factor.