Motor locked rotor current calculator

What is ‘locked rotor current’?

A motor at rest acts as if its rotor is locked. The locked rotor current and the starting current of a motor are one and the same. It is the starting current drawn by a motor when full nominal voltage is applied to its terminals. Here is a simple locked rotor current calculator. Enter the motor-rated power, nominal voltage, and NEMA code, and click on calculate button.

Locked rotor current calculator

Nominal voltageV
Motor rated power
Design Code

Calculated Values

Locked rotor currentA

How to use the calculator:

The above tool requires the following data for calculation:

  1. Motor Type – Single-phase or three-phase. (Mandatory)
  2. Motor-rated power in HP or kW. (Mandatory)
  3. Input supply voltage. (Mandatory)
  4. NEMA code. (Mandatory)

After entering the required data, click on the “Calculate” button to find out the locked rotor current of the motor.

Locked rotor current calculator

The appropriate selection of fuses, circuit breakers, overload relays, cables, and other switchgear is necessary to protect the motor from damage. The motor full load current forms the basis for the selection of all this equipment.

Motor FLC calculation

For single-phase AC motors

For single-phase motors, when kW is known:

    \[    LRC =\frac{P_k_W \times 1341 \times (KVA/HP)}{Voltage} \]

For single-phase motors, when HP is known:

    \[    LRC  =\frac{P_h_p \times 1000 \times (KVA/HP)}{Voltage} \]

For Three-phase AC motors

For three-phase motors, when kW is known:

    \[    LRC =\frac{P_k_W \times 774 \times (KVA/HP)}{Voltage} \]

For Three-phase motors, when HP is known:

    \[    LRC  =\frac{P_h_p \times 577 \times (KVA/HP)}{Voltage} \]

Where,

  • Voltage: The phase-to-phase voltage for a 3-phase supply.
  • Rating: The power rating of the motor in kW.
  • KVA/HP: Maximum value corresponding to the NEMA code.

Locked rotor KVA per Horsepower

The National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association (NEMA) has designated code letters to classify motors by the rotor kVA per horsepower. Here is the tabulation of those code letters and kVA per horsepower values.

Letter designation(KVA/HP) Minimum(KVA/HP) Maximum
A13.14
B3.153.54
C3.553.99
D44.49
E4.54.99
F55.59
G5.66.29
H6.37.09
I7.17.99
K88.99
L99.99
M1011.19
N11.212.49
P12.513.99
R1415.99
S1617.99
T1819.99
U2022.39
V22.4 –
For further details refer: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/locked-rotor-code-d_917.html

Other calculators:

This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Alex

    What is the equation for three phase motors when HP is known? Your page only lists for single phase motors twice. If I assume the last equation is for three phase motors, I don’t get the same value as your calculator.

    1. Electrical Classroom

      Thank you for notifying us. The equation for three-phase motors, when HP can be found above.

  2. mark

    Why do we not use the 3 phase(ex 208 x 1.73=360v) voltage config when we divide by voltage?

    Thank you,

  3. mark

    Never mind. I see you reduced the HP multiplier from 1000 for single phase to 577 three phase.

  4. Ryan

    I’m guessing there is a typo on the table at Code 7 Max Value.

  5. Ryan

    I’m guessing there is a typo on the table at Code F Max Value.

  6. David

    When using your “Locked Rotor Current” calculator for a 240v, 1HP, single phase motor with NEMA Code A, it states that Locked Rotor Current is 7.55A.
    However, when using your “Motor FLC calculation” for single phase ac motors when HP is known I calculate LRC=1x1000x3.14/240=13.08A.
    Is the equation within the text trying to determine Full Load Current or Locked Rotor Current? as Locked Rotor Current should be higher than Full Load Current. Also, the text mentions efficiency, but it does not appear in the equation. Does Power Factor come into the picture, or does the NEMA Code letter incorporate the effect of both efficiency and power factor?

    1. Electrical Classroom

      You are referring to a wrong formula for Motor FLC calculation. FLC when the motor power is rated in HP, FLC = 1 x 746/(240xpfxefficiency) = 3.7. Kindly refer to https://www.electricalclassroom.com/motor-fla-motor-flc-calculator/ for FLC calculation. The power factor is not taken into account during the LRC calculation.

    2. Electrical Classroom

      Efficiency is not taken into consideration during the LRC calculation. That was a mention for standard notations used in the calculation.

  7. David

    In your Locked Rotor Current Calculator, have the tabs for Single phase and 3 phase become swapped or interposed?

    1. Jason

      I agree. It looks like they are swapped. All the answers are incorrect.

      1. Electrical Classroom

        Thank you for notifying us. We have fixed the calculator.

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