Motor RPM Calculator

Calculate synchronous and actual RPM for electric motors

Motor RPM Calculator

Compliant with NEMA and IEC Standards

Results:

Synchronous RPM: 0.00

Actual RPM: 0.00

How to Use the Calculator

Input Frequency

  1. Enter the electrical supply frequency in Hertz (Hz).
  2. Common values are 50 Hz or 60 Hz.

Input Number of Poles

  1. Enter the number of poles of the motor.
  2. Poles always come in pairs (e.g., 2, 4, 6, 8).

Input Slip (Optional)

  1. Enter the motor's slip as a percentage (%).
  2. If unknown, leave as 0 for synchronous RPM.

Motor RPM Fundamentals

Synchronous Speed

The synchronous speed is the speed of the rotating magnetic field in the stator.

  • Determined by frequency and number of poles.
  • Ideal speed without any load or losses.

Actual Speed (Rotor Speed)

  • The actual rotational speed of the motor's rotor.
  • Always slightly less than synchronous speed due to slip.
  • Slip is necessary for torque production in induction motors.

Key Formulas:

Synchronous RPM = (120 × Frequency) / Number of Poles

Actual RPM = Synchronous RPM × (1 - Slip / 100)

Calculation Formulas

Synchronous RPM:
N_s = (120 × f) / P

Actual RPM:
N_r = N_s × (1 - s / 100)

Example Calculation

Motor with 60 Hz Frequency, 4 Poles, and 3% Slip:

Frequency (f): 60 Hz

Poles (P): 4

Slip (s): 3%

Synchronous RPM (N_s) = (120 × 60) / 4 = 1800 RPM

Actual RPM (N_r) = 1800 × (1 - 3 / 100) = 1800 × 0.97 = 1746 RPM

Synchronous RPM = 1800.00 | Actual RPM = 1746.00

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