1. What is the 3-Phase Motor Power Equation?

The 3-phase motor power equation calculates the real power consumed by a three-phase electric motor, accounting for voltage, current, power factor, and motor efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the 3-phase power equation:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power (kW)
• \( V \) — Line voltage (Volts)
• \( I \) — Line current (Amps)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0-1)
• \( \eta \) — Motor efficiency (0-1)

Explanation: The equation accounts for all three phases of power delivery and adjusts for the phase difference (√3) and real power conversion (PF and efficiency).

3. Importance of Motor Power Calculation

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter line-to-line voltage in volts, line current in amps, power factor (typically 0.8-0.95), and motor efficiency (typically 0.85-0.95 for standard motors).

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 are typical efficiency values?
A: Standard motors range from 85-95% efficiency, with higher efficiency motors reaching 96-98%.

Q3: Should I use line or phase values?
A: Use line-to-line voltage and line current (what you'd measure between phases).

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

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical power consumption. Actual power may vary due to load conditions, voltage fluctuations, and temperature effects.