DRIVE OUTLET MEGASTORE | FREE ENGINEERING TOOLS

Free Industrial Engineering Calculators

Make more informed motor control and electrical equipment decisions with our free online calculators. Estimate VFD sizing, braking resistor requirements, cable selection, motor starting and circuit protection.

Free to Use No Registration Required Instant Calculations Industrial Applications
ENGINEERING MADE SIMPLER

Practical Tools for Industrial Motor & Drive Selection

Whether you’re specifying a new inverter, checking a motor starter or planning electrical protection, our five calculators provide a useful starting point for preliminary selection.

Five Engineering Tools Core drive and electrical calculations
Quick Preliminary Results Explore sizing and selection options
Free Online Access Use directly in your browser
OUR CALCULATOR LIBRARY

Choose Your Engineering Calculator

Select the tool for your application. Each calculator opens on its own page, where you can enter the relevant values and review the calculated recommendations.

01 / DRIVE SELECTION
VFD

VFD Sizing Calculator

Estimate an appropriate variable frequency drive size using motor power, voltage and application duty.

  • Motor power in kW
  • Motor voltage and supply configuration
  • Load type and application duty
Open VFD Calculator
02 / DYNAMIC BRAKING
Ω

Braking Resistor Calculator

Estimate braking resistor resistance and power requirements for compatible inverter braking applications.

  • Braking resistor resistance
  • Approximate power requirements
  • Dynamic braking duty considerations
Open Braking Calculator
03 / CABLE SELECTION
mm²

VFD Cable Sizing Calculator

Estimate suitable motor cable dimensions for an inverter installation using electrical and installation details.

  • Motor and drive current
  • Cable length
  • Installation considerations
Open Cable Calculator
04 / MOTOR STARTING
M

Motor Starter Selection Calculator

Compare common motor starting approaches and identify a suitable starting method for your motor application.

  • Direct-on-line starting
  • Star-delta starting
  • Soft starter selection
Open Starter Calculator
05 / CIRCUIT PROTECTION
CB

Fuse & Circuit Breaker Selector

Explore suitable fuse and circuit breaker options for electric motors and inverter-driven systems.

  • Motor circuit protection
  • VFD input protection
  • Fuse and breaker selection
Open Protection Selector
ENGINEERING WORKFLOW

Use the Tools Together for a Drive Installation

Planning a variable-speed motor installation? These calculators can help you work through the main preliminary selection stages.

01

Size the VFD

Begin with your motor rating, voltage, rated current and application requirements.

Size Your Drive →
02

Assess the Cable

Review the inverter-to-motor cable requirements and installation conditions.

Size Your Cable →
03

Check Braking

If dynamic braking is needed, examine the resistor requirements and drive compatibility.

Check Braking →
04

Select Protection

Review protective devices using the relevant current, fault and manufacturer requirements.

Select Protection →
Important engineering note: Calculator outputs are preliminary estimates, not a complete electrical design. Final equipment selection must account for the motor nameplate, manufacturer’s data, site conditions, applicable regulations and appropriate engineering verification.
GET BETTER CALCULATION RESULTS

What Information Should You Have Ready?

Accurate input information makes the preliminary calculation more useful. Before starting, collect the relevant motor and installation specifications.

  • Motor rated power in kW or HP
  • Motor nameplate voltage and current
  • Supply phase and voltage
  • Application and load characteristics
  • Starting, stopping and braking duty
  • Cable length and installation method
  • Manufacturer documentation where available
TECHNICAL PRODUCT ASSISTANCE

Not Sure Which Equipment You Need?

Our team can help with industrial drive selection, part-number identification, availability enquiries and potential replacement options.

Send us your motor nameplate information, application details or existing manufacturer part number.

ENGINEERING CALCULATOR FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the engineering calculators free to use?
Yes. Our five engineering tools are available to use online without purchasing a product or registering an account.
Can I use the VFD sizing calculator to select an inverter?
The calculator can help estimate an appropriate VFD size based on the information you enter. Final selection should be checked against the motor’s rated current, supply voltage, application duty, overload requirements and the inverter manufacturer’s specifications.
Why is motor current important when selecting a VFD?
Motor rated current is a key factor because the selected inverter must be capable of supplying the required output current at the applicable duty rating. Motor power alone does not always determine the correct drive size.
Can I use a standard cable sizing result for every VFD?
No. Inverter cable requirements depend on factors including current, installation method, voltage drop, cable construction, shielding, motor cable length and manufacturer guidance. Always verify the installation against applicable standards and the drive documentation.
Does every inverter need a braking resistor?
No. Braking resistors are application-dependent. They may be required where rapid deceleration or regenerative loads create excess DC bus energy. The inverter must support the proposed braking arrangement, and the selected resistor must comply with its minimum resistance and thermal limits.
Can these calculators replace professional electrical design?
No. These tools provide preliminary assistance only. Electrical protection, conductor selection, fault calculations and equipment suitability must be verified using relevant regulations, manufacturer documentation and qualified engineering judgement.
DRIVE OUTLET MEGASTORE | TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Calculated Your Requirements? Let’s Find the Right Equipment.

Once you’ve estimated your drive, cable, braking or protection requirements, our team can help you source suitable industrial equipment. Send us your specifications or existing part number for pricing and availability.

We aim to respond within 10 minutes during working hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00am–6:00pm UK time).