Industrial Motor Sizing

Horsepower to Amps Calculator (HP to Amps)

Electric motor installation, pump sizing, industrial maintenance. Calculates motor full load current (FLA) using both exact formula and official NEC Table 430.248 (1-Phase) / 430.250 (3-Phase) lookup data.

Horsepower to Amps Calculator (HP to Amps)
HP
Volts
Phase
Ratio
Calculated Result
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Instant Calculation
Engineering Output
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Auxiliary Output
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Step-by-Step Derivation ▼ Show Steps
Governing Formula Verified Physics
1-Phase: I = (HP × 746) / (V × η × PF)  |  3-Phase: I = (HP × 746) / (√3 × V × η × PF)

Calculations adhere to standard electrical engineering physics and National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) regulations.

Engineering Principles & Calculations

This calculator uses the exact mathematical relationships between Motor Horsepower (HP: 1/4 HP to 500 HP), Voltage (115V, 208V, 230V, 460V, 575V), Phase (1Φ or 3Φ), Efficiency (default 85%), PF (default 0.85) to determine Full Load Current (Amperes), NEC Table Value, Recommended Overload Setting. In practical installations, factors such as ambient raceway temperature, harmonic distortion, duty cycle continuous operation, and conductor impedance must be accounted for by a certified electrician.

Calculates motor full load current (FLA) using both exact formula and official NEC Table 430.248 (1-Phase) / 430.250 (3-Phase) lookup data.

Typical Application & Industry Guidelines

Electric motor installation, pump sizing, industrial maintenance.

Reference Matrix

Horsepower to Amps Calculator (HP to Amps) Benchmark Lookup Table

Motor HP208V 3-Phase230V 3-Phase460V 3-Phase115V 1-Phase
1 HP3.5 A3.2 A1.6 A16.0 A
2 HP6.5 A5.8 A2.9 A24.0 A
5 HP16.7 A15.2 A7.6 A56.0 A
10 HP30.8 A28.0 A14.0 A-- (3-Phase only)
20 HP59.4 A54.0 A27.0 A--
50 HP143.0 A130.0 A65.0 A--
100 HP273.0 A248.0 A124.0 A--
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How many amps does a 5 HP motor draw at 460V? +
A standard 5 HP 3-phase induction motor at 460V draws approximately 7.6 Full Load Amperes (FLA) per NEC Table 430.250.
Why does 3-phase draw much lower amperage than 1-phase? +
Three-phase power utilizes three alternating waveforms separated by 120 degrees, allowing power delivery at √3 (~1.732) higher effectiveness, cutting current in half for the same wire size.
What size circuit breaker does an electric motor need? +
Under NEC 430.52, an inverse time circuit breaker protecting an induction motor can be sized up to 250% of the motor FLA to prevent nuisance tripping from startup inrush current.

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