Electric Horsepower Calculator

Electric Horsepower Formula:

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

Voltage (V):

Current (I):

Power Factor (PF):

(0-1)

Efficiency (η):

(0-1)

Electric Horsepower (HP):

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1. What is Electric Horsepower?

Electric horsepower is a unit of power that measures the output power of electric motors. It represents the mechanical power delivered by an electric motor, taking into account electrical efficiency and power factor.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the electric horsepower formula:

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

Where:

\( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
\( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
\( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, 0-1)
\( \eta \) — Efficiency (dimensionless, 0-1)
746 — Conversion factor from watts to horsepower

Explanation: The formula calculates the actual mechanical power output by considering both the electrical input power (V × I) and the motor's performance characteristics (power factor and efficiency).

3. Importance of Electric Horsepower Calculation

Details: Accurate horsepower calculation is essential for proper motor selection, sizing electrical systems, determining load capacity, and ensuring energy efficiency in industrial and commercial applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amperes, power factor (typically 0.8-0.95 for AC motors), and efficiency (typically 0.8-0.95 for standard motors). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between electric horsepower and mechanical horsepower?
A: Electric horsepower specifically measures the output power of electric motors, while mechanical horsepower is a general unit of power. The conversion factor (746 watts per horsepower) is the same for both.

Q2: Why is power factor important in horsepower calculation?
A: Power factor accounts for the phase difference between voltage and current in AC circuits. A lower power factor means more current is required to deliver the same amount of real power.

Q3: 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 decreases with motor size and age.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for DC motors?
A: For DC motors, set power factor to 1 since there is no phase difference between voltage and current in DC circuits.

Q5: How does motor size affect horsepower calculation?
A: Larger motors typically have higher efficiency and power factor. Always refer to the motor's nameplate specifications for accurate calculations.