Electrical Duty-Cycle Load Calculator — Convert Cycling Equipment Into Realistic Demand
Compressors, pumps, refrigeration systems, fans and other equipment may cycle rather than operate continuously. Model their on-time fraction and daily operating window to estimate average demand and energy use.
Duty-cycle assumptions
Cycling equipment
Average demand versus peak demand
A 2,000 W compressor at a 40% duty cycle contributes about 800 W average during the stated operating period, but its connected peak remains 2,000 W. Both numbers matter for different planning questions.
How energy is estimated
Daily energy equals average power multiplied by the entered daily operating window. Monthly energy then uses your chosen number of days.
Why duty cycle should be realistic
A duty-cycle percentage can represent the fraction of an operating window when a device is actually drawing its rated power. It is an estimate, not a guarantee that the equipment repeats an identical cycle every day.
Example
A 2,000 W load at 40% duty over 8 hours per day contributes about 6.4 kWh/day. A 900 W device at 55% duty over 24 hours contributes about 11.88 kWh/day.
Cost estimate
Monthly cost is calculated from the modeled monthly energy multiplied by the electricity price you enter. The price is not live.
Limitations
Detailed load studies can require interval data, seasonal patterns, temperature effects and measured operation. Use this tool for transparent preliminary modeling.
Frequently asked questions
Does duty cycle change peak power?
No. It changes the modeled average contribution, not the entered connected rating.
Can I model multiple machines?
Yes. Each row can have its own duty and schedule.
Can I use zero hours?
Yes, but that row will contribute no modeled energy during the period.