Motor Efficiency Calculation: Understanding Power Consumption of a 12-hp Motor

How efficient is a 12-hp. 120-V motor that draws 4.67 A when running?

Given data:

- Power: 12 horsepower

- Voltage: 120 Volts

- Current: 4.67 Amperes

Motor Efficiency Calculation:

Based on the given data, let's calculate the efficiency of the 12-hp. 120-V motor that draws 4.67 A when running.

Efficiency is a key factor in assessing the performance of a motor. It indicates how effectively a motor converts input power into useful output power. In this case, the motor's efficiency can be determined by comparing the output power to the input power.

First, we need to convert the horsepower to watts. Since 1 horsepower is equivalent to 745.7 watts, a 12-hp motor would be 12 * 745.7 = 8948.4 watts. Next, we calculate the input power by multiplying the voltage (120V) by the current (4.67A), which results in 120V * 4.67A = 560.4 watts.

To find the efficiency, we divide the output power (8948.4 watts) by the input power (560.4 watts). This calculation gives us an efficiency of 8948.4W / 560.4W = 0.0626 or 6.26%.

However, it's important to note that the calculated efficiency is less than 100%, which is typically the maximum efficiency for real-world machines. An efficiency greater than 100% would suggest an error in the calculations or provided values. It's crucial to ensure accuracy when determining motor efficiency to optimize performance and energy consumption.