Engineering Calculators

Choosing the right engineering calculator

For pipe and water systems, use the Pipe Pressure Drop Calculator to estimate pressure and head losses through a straight pipe, or the Pump Head Calculator when you need to calculate the head a pump must overcome from elevation, pressure and system losses.

The Fire Hose Friction Loss Calculator is intended specifically for estimating pressure lost as water flows through fire hose. It uses hose size, flow and hose length rather than the more general pipe-system inputs.

For electrical calculations, use the Wire Voltage Drop Calculator to estimate voltage lost along a conductor, or the Electrical Load Calculator to calculate power, apparent power and estimated current for an electrical load.

The Press Brake Tonnage Calculator estimates the bending force required for conventional V-die air bending, while the Solar System Size Calculator estimates the PV capacity and number of panels required from electricity use and available solar energy.

Pipe flow, pressure loss and pump calculations

Moving a fluid through a system requires enough pressure or head to overcome elevation differences and system resistance. Pipe diameter, pipe length, flow rate and fluid properties can all affect the losses within a system.

Pressure-drop calculations focus on the loss that occurs as fluid moves through pipe, while pump-head calculations combine the relevant elevation, pressure and system-loss requirements. Keeping these components separate can make it easier to understand where the required pump head comes from.

Electrical load and voltage drop calculations

Electrical calculations often depend on several related values, including voltage, current, power, power factor, conductor size and circuit length. The appropriate inputs depend on whether you are estimating an electrical load or the voltage lost along a conductor.

Voltage drop increases with circuit resistance and current, while conductor material, size and length affect resistance. Electrical load calculations use the applicable relationship between voltage, current and power for the type of supply being considered.

Manufacturing and energy calculations

Engineering calculations also extend beyond fluid and electrical systems. Press brake tonnage calculations help estimate the force required to form sheet material using specified material and tooling values.

Solar PV sizing uses electricity consumption, available peak sun hours, target solar offset and estimated system losses to provide an initial estimate of the generating capacity and number of panels required.

Using engineering calculator results

Engineering calculations depend on the accuracy of the input values and the assumptions behind the formula being used. Material properties, operating conditions, equipment specifications and installation details can all affect real-world results.

CalcAtlas engineering calculators are intended to make the calculation method clear and provide useful estimates from the values entered. For equipment selection, design approval or safety-critical work, check the applicable manufacturer documentation, standards and professional requirements for the particular application.