Determine the required horsepower, belt tension, and motor size for your conveyor system. Uses CEMA-standard friction factors and includes drive loss adjustments.
Center-to-center horizontal distance
Vertical rise, 0 if horizontal
Bulk density of conveyed material
Required throughput
Standard: 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 60
Feet per minute
Effective Tension (Te)
831 lbs
Total belt pull force
Required HP (with losses)
11.1 HP
Belt HP: 10.1 + 10% drive loss
Recommended Motor
15 HP
Next standard NEMA size
Annual Energy Cost
$4,959
49,594 kWh/yr
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Belt conveyor drive sizing follows the CEMA (Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association) method. Effective tension accounts for friction from belt weight, material weight, and any vertical lift. Power is then derived from tension and belt speed, with a 10% adder for drive losses (gearbox, couplings, etc.).
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Friction factor (Kt) | 0.025 – 0.035 |
| Belt weight (3-ply) | 3 – 10 lb/ft |
| Drive efficiency | 85 – 95% |
| Motor utilization | 70 – 85% of nameplate |
Always select the next standard motor size above the calculated HP. Standard NEMA motor sizes are 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500 HP. Oversizing by one frame is standard practice to handle startup torque and material surges.