1. What is Single Phase Motor Power?

Single phase motor power refers to the electrical power consumed by a motor operating on a single-phase AC power supply. It's calculated using voltage, current, and power factor to determine the real power in watts.

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, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power by accounting for the phase difference between voltage and current in AC circuits through the power factor.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for sizing electrical components, determining energy consumption, calculating efficiency, and ensuring proper motor operation without overloading circuits.

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: Why is my motor's power factor less than 1?
A: Motors have inductive characteristics that cause current to lag voltage, resulting in a power factor less than 1. The exact value depends on motor design and load.

Q3: How do I measure current for this calculation?
A: Use a clamp meter to measure the current drawn by the motor while it's operating under normal load conditions.

Q4: What's the difference between single-phase and three-phase power?
A: Single-phase has one alternating voltage, while three-phase has three voltages offset by 120°. Three-phase is more efficient for larger motors.

Q5: Can I use this for DC motors?
A: For DC motors, the formula simplifies to P = V × I since there's no power factor (PF = 1).