1. What is a 5 HP Electric Compressor Motor Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the current draw of a 5 horsepower electric compressor motor based on voltage, efficiency, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electricians and engineers determine the electrical requirements for operating a 5 HP compressor motor.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current (amps)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( \eta \) — Motor efficiency (0-1)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (0-1)

Explanation: The formula converts horsepower to watts (1 HP = 746W), then calculates current draw accounting for motor efficiency and power factor.

3. Importance of Current Calculation

Details: Proper current estimation ensures correct wire sizing, circuit breaker selection, and prevents electrical system overload.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the system voltage, motor efficiency (default 0.9), and power factor (default 0.85). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why 746 in the formula?
A: 746 watts equals 1 horsepower, used to convert mechanical power to electrical power.

Q2: What's a typical efficiency for compressor motors?
A: Most 5 HP motors have 85-95% efficiency (0.85-0.95).

Q3: What affects power factor?
A: Induction motors typically have 0.8-0.9 PF. Lower values indicate more reactive power.

Q4: Should I use nominal or actual voltage?
A: Use actual measured voltage if available, otherwise use system nominal voltage (e.g., 120V, 240V).

Q5: Does this include startup current?
A: No, motor startup current (inrush) is typically 4-8 times higher than running current.