How Do You Calculate Belt Drive Torque?
Drive belts are flat, rubber loops used in various machines to rotate parts that the motor cannot rotate directly. In cars, a drive belt controls the power steering and other accessories. In a dryer, the drive belt rotates the clothes chamber. Drive belts (or sometimes chains) are even used for large applications such as escalators and moving walkways. A drive belt is only as strong as the motor that propels it, and thus depends on the motor’s power rating. Calculate the motor’s power. Electrically, power equals voltage multiplied by current. If you multiply these two specifications for a motor, you will get a quantity of volt-amperes, or watts. A motor rated at 500 volts and 100 amperes would consume 50,000 watts, or 50 kilowatts. Correct the base power rating for losses. Although a motor may be rated at 50 kilowatts, only a certain percentage will transform into the mechanical power of the shaft due to the motor’s efficiency. Multiply the base amount of volt-amperes by the efficiency
