1. What is Electric Motor Power Consumption?

Definition: This calculator estimates the energy consumption of an electric motor in kilowatt-hours (kWh) based on voltage, current, power factor, and operating time.

Purpose: It helps engineers, technicians, and facility managers estimate energy usage and costs for electric motors.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( E_{kWh} \) — Energy consumption (kilowatt-hours)
• \( V \) — Voltage (volts)
• \( I \) — Current (amperes)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)
• \( t \) — Time (hours)

Explanation: The formula calculates real power consumption by accounting for both active and reactive power components.

3. Importance of Power Consumption Calculation

Details: Accurate power consumption estimates help in energy budgeting, cost analysis, and electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the motor voltage, current draw, power factor (default 0.8), and operating time. All values must be > 0 (PF between 0-1).

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 converted to useful work (typically 0.7-0.95 for motors).

Q2: How do I find the current (I) value?
A: Measure with a clamp meter or check motor nameplate ratings under operating load.

Q3: Why divide by 1000?
A: This converts watt-hours to kilowatt-hours (kWh), the standard unit for electricity billing.

Q4: Does this account for motor efficiency?
A: No, this calculates electrical input power. For mechanical output power, multiply by motor efficiency.

Q5: What's a typical power factor for motors?
A: Induction motors typically have 0.8-0.9 PF at full load, lower at partial loads.