Calculate Electric Motor HP

Electric Motor Horsepower Formula:

\[ HP = \frac{V \times I \times Efficiency \times PF}{746} \]

Voltage (V):

Current (I):

Efficiency:

Power Factor (PF):

Motor Horsepower (HP):

Unit Converter ▲

Unit Converter ▼

From:	To:

1. What is Electric Motor Horsepower?

Electric motor horsepower represents the mechanical power output of an electric motor. It's calculated from electrical input parameters including voltage, current, efficiency, and power factor to determine the actual mechanical power delivered.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the electric motor horsepower formula:

\[ HP = \frac{V \times I \times Efficiency \times PF}{746} \]

Where:

\( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
\( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
\( Efficiency \) — Motor efficiency as percentage (%)
\( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0-1)
\( 746 \) — Conversion factor from watts to horsepower

Explanation: The formula converts electrical power input (adjusted for efficiency and power factor) to mechanical horsepower output, accounting for energy losses in the motor.

3. Importance of Horsepower Calculation

Details: Accurate horsepower calculation is essential for motor selection, system design, energy efficiency analysis, and ensuring proper motor sizing for specific applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amperes, efficiency as percentage (0-100%), and power factor as decimal (0-1). All values must be positive numbers within their respective ranges.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the conversion factor 746?
A: 746 watts equals 1 horsepower, which is the standard conversion factor between electrical power and mechanical horsepower.

Q2: Why include efficiency in the calculation?
A: Efficiency accounts for energy losses in the motor (heat, friction, etc.), converting electrical input power to actual mechanical output power.

Q3: What is power factor and why is it important?
A: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power in AC circuits. It affects the actual power available for useful work.

Q4: What are typical efficiency values for electric motors?
A: Standard efficiency motors range from 85-95%, while premium efficiency motors can reach 95-97% efficiency.

Q5: Can this calculator be used for both AC and DC motors?
A: Yes, but for AC motors, ensure you're using true power factor. DC motors typically have a power factor of 1.