3-Phase Power Formula:
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Definition: This calculator estimates the energy consumption of a three-phase electric motor based on voltage, current, power factor, and operating time.
Purpose: It helps engineers, technicians, and facility managers determine electricity usage for motor-driven equipment.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates real power consumption by accounting for the three-phase power characteristics and converting to kWh.
Details: Accurate energy calculations help with energy audits, cost estimation, and efficiency improvements for industrial equipment.
Tips: Enter the motor voltage (typically 208V, 480V, or 600V), measured current, power factor (default 0.85), and operating hours. All values must be > 0 except hours can be 0.
Q1: What is power factor and why does it matter?
A: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. It affects the actual energy consumed versus what's drawn from the grid.
Q2: What's a typical power factor for motors?
A: Most motors range from 0.80-0.95 PF when fully loaded, but this drops significantly at partial loads.
Q3: How do I find the current (amps) value?
A: Use a clamp meter to measure actual current draw during operation or check motor nameplate data.
Q4: Does this account for motor efficiency?
A: No, this calculates input power. For output power, multiply by the motor's efficiency rating.
Q5: Can I use this for single-phase motors?
A: No, use the formula: kWh = (V × A × PF × h) / 1000 for single-phase systems.