Motor formula tool

Horsepower and Amps Calculator

Enter HP, voltage, phase, efficiency, and PF to estimate motor formula current before NEC FLC or nameplate FLA review.

Convert Horsepower and Amps

Enter HP, voltage, phase, efficiency, and power factor to estimate formula current. Compare NEC FLC and nameplate FLA before motor sizing.

Result

Amps

11.73 A

Result notes. Keep inputs, assumptions, and result together before using this value in project records.

Keep the entered values, assumptions, and result together when adding this calculation to job notes or submittal records. Final installation choices should align with the applicable code edition, equipment listing, manufacturer instructions, local amendments, and AHJ requirements.

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Formula and field context

Enter HP, voltage, phase, efficiency, and PF to estimate motor formula current before NEC FLC or nameplate FLA review.

Formula context

HP to Amps Chart

Quick answer: with 90% efficiency and 0.80 PF, 1 HP is about 4.3 A at 240 V single-phase, 5 HP is about 5.6 A at 480 V three-phase, and 10 HP is about 11.2 A at 480 V three-phase. Use the calculator when nameplate FLA, NEC FLC, or starting duty matters.

Formula

Single phase estimate: A = HP x 746 / (V x efficiency x PF). Three phase estimate: A = HP x 746 / (1.732 x VLL x efficiency x PF).

Variables to keep with the result

  • HP is mechanical horsepower.
  • Efficiency is motor efficiency entered as a decimal.
  • PF is motor power factor entered as a decimal.
  • V or VLL is the voltage used by the motor connection.

Formula and assumptions

Electrical input current can be estimated from horsepower by converting HP to watts, then dividing by voltage, phase factor, power factor, and motor efficiency. The formula is useful for planning, but it is not the same as NEC table full-load current or actual nameplate FLA.

U.S. motor context

Electricians often need a reasonableness check when a motor nameplate, equipment schedule, or control panel note lists HP but not current. Enter the motor voltage, phase, efficiency, and PF in the calculator, then treat the result as a formula estimate rather than a final branch-circuit current.

When to use the full calculator

Move to the motor-current and full-load-current calculators when conductor sizing, overloads, breaker settings, starter sizing, or NEC motor rules matter. This worksheet stays limited to the HP and amp relationship.

Common Questions

Is this the same as NEC motor FLC?
No. This is a formula estimate. NEC full-load current tables and motor nameplate FLA are used for different motor-code decisions.
Why do efficiency and power factor matter?
Horsepower is mechanical output. Efficiency and power factor help estimate the electrical input current needed to produce that output.
Can I use this for breaker sizing?
No. Use the motor branch-protection and motor-current calculators for breaker and conductor decisions.