What is the highest 120 volt electric motor on the market. Are they small 1/2hp to 3hp or can you buy them at 15-20 hp.
This Site Might Help You. RE: high horsepower 120 volt ac electric motor? What is the highest 120 volt electric motor on the market. Are they small 1/2hp to 3hp or can you buy them at 15-20 hp.
5 horsepower is about the limit for 120 VAC as most house wiring is not up to such a real load. The ratings on vaccum cleaners not withstanding. it is easier to make the motors for 240 VAC, and house wiring can handle the current load more readily. In general, figure 6.5 to 7.5 amps per horsepower for a realistic rating on 120 VAC. Vaccum cleaners claim higher horsepower- but their numbers are usually based on the point where the motor burns out. Few houses have 8 gauge or 6 gauge wire coming from the service panel unless spec'd for it and those would be needed to modest runs to a 5 Horse 120VAC, whereas a 5 horse on 240VAC can run safely up to a point on 10 guage wire.
3-phase voltages are usually given as line-line/line-neutral ratings. What you might be talking about is a 208/120V motor. That means that its line-line voltage is 208V (208 = sqrt(3)*120) and the line-neutral (aka - single-phase equivalent) voltage is 120V. The 120V is what normally comes out of your standard residential outlet. If you really had some odd configuration and wanted a 3-phase, 120/69V system, you'd have to get your own power supply; the US standard is 208/120V.
Most 120V circuits are limited to 20A, 16A for safety. That allows 1,920W, which is equal to 2.56 hp. To get more hp, look for 3-phase and higher voltage. Special 120V wiring would be heavier cable, and more expensive.
