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How to calculate the power required for an electric hoist trolley?

Oct 27, 2025

Hey there! As a supplier of Electric Hoist Trolleys, I often get asked about how to calculate the power required for these nifty machines. It's a crucial question, especially if you want to make sure your hoist trolley runs efficiently and safely. So, let's dive right in and break it down.

Understanding the Basics

First things first, let's talk about what an electric hoist trolley is. It's a device used to lift and move heavy loads horizontally along a beam. There are different types, like the Et-a Electric Hoist Trolley, Manual Hoist Trolley, and Electric Hoist Push Trolley. Each type has its own unique features and power requirements.

The power required for an electric hoist trolley depends on several factors. The most important ones are the load capacity, the lifting speed, the running speed, and the efficiency of the system.

Load Capacity

The load capacity is the maximum weight the hoist trolley can lift. It's usually measured in kilograms or pounds. The higher the load capacity, the more power the hoist trolley will need. This is because the motor has to work harder to lift a heavier load.

Let's say you have a hoist trolley with a load capacity of 1000 kg. You'll need a more powerful motor compared to a hoist trolley with a load capacity of 500 kg. To calculate the power required based on the load capacity, you can use the following formula:

Power (kW) = (Load (kg) x Lifting height (m) x Gravity (9.81 m/s²)) / (Lifting time (s) x Efficiency)

For example, if you want to lift a 1000 kg load to a height of 5 meters in 10 seconds, and the efficiency of the hoist trolley is 80% (or 0.8), the calculation would be:

Power (kW) = (1000 x 5 x 9.81) / (10 x 0.8) = 6131.25 / 8 = 766.40625 W or approximately 0.77 kW

Electric Hoist Push TrolleyET-A Electric Hoist Trolley

Lifting Speed

The lifting speed is how fast the hoist trolley can lift the load. It's usually measured in meters per minute (m/min). A higher lifting speed means the motor has to work faster, which requires more power.

If you increase the lifting speed, the power required will also increase. For instance, if you double the lifting speed, you'll need almost double the power. The relationship between the lifting speed and the power required is linear.

Running Speed

The running speed is the speed at which the hoist trolley moves horizontally along the beam. Similar to the lifting speed, a higher running speed requires more power. The power required for running also depends on the friction between the wheels and the beam, as well as the weight of the hoist trolley itself.

To calculate the power required for running, you need to consider the force needed to overcome the friction and the inertia of the moving parts. The formula for calculating the power required for running is:

Power (kW) = (Force (N) x Running speed (m/s)) / Efficiency

The force can be calculated using the coefficient of friction between the wheels and the beam and the weight of the load and the hoist trolley.

Efficiency

The efficiency of the hoist trolley is a measure of how well it converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. It takes into account losses due to friction, heat, and other factors. A higher efficiency means less power is wasted, and the hoist trolley will be more energy - efficient.

Most electric hoist trolleys have an efficiency of around 70% - 90%. You can find the efficiency rating in the product specifications. When calculating the power required, make sure to use the correct efficiency value.

Example Calculation

Let's put all these factors together with an example. Suppose you have an electric hoist trolley with the following specifications:

  • Load capacity: 2000 kg
  • Lifting height: 6 meters
  • Lifting time: 15 seconds
  • Running speed: 20 m/min (or 0.33 m/s)
  • Efficiency: 85% (or 0.85)
  • Coefficient of friction between the wheels and the beam: 0.1
  • Weight of the hoist trolley: 500 kg

First, let's calculate the power required for lifting:

Power for lifting (kW) = (2000 x 6 x 9.81) / (15 x 0.85) = 117720 / 12.75 = 9233.72 W or approximately 9.23 kW

Next, let's calculate the force required for running. The total weight of the load and the hoist trolley is 2000 + 500 = 2500 kg. The force due to friction is:

Force (N) = Coefficient of friction x Total weight x Gravity
Force (N) = 0.1 x 2500 x 9.81 = 2452.5 N

Now, let's calculate the power required for running:

Power for running (kW) = (2452.5 x 0.33) / 0.85 = 809.325 / 0.85 = 952.147 W or approximately 0.95 kW

The total power required for the hoist trolley is the sum of the power required for lifting and running:

Total power (kW) = 9.23 + 0.95 = 10.18 kW

Other Considerations

In addition to the factors mentioned above, there are a few other things to consider when calculating the power required for an electric hoist trolley.

  • Duty Cycle: The duty cycle is the percentage of time the hoist trolley will be in operation within a certain period. If the hoist trolley is used continuously for long periods, it will need a more powerful motor to prevent overheating.
  • Environmental Conditions: The temperature, humidity, and altitude can also affect the performance of the hoist trolley. In hot or humid conditions, the motor may need to work harder, and the efficiency may decrease.

Conclusion

Calculating the power required for an electric hoist trolley is not as complicated as it may seem. By considering the load capacity, the lifting speed, the running speed, and the efficiency of the system, you can get a good estimate of the power needed.

If you're in the market for an electric hoist trolley, we're here to help. We offer a wide range of hoist trolleys, including the Et-a Electric Hoist Trolley, Manual Hoist Trolley, and Electric Hoist Push Trolley. Our team of experts can assist you in choosing the right hoist trolley for your needs and calculating the power requirements.

Don't hesitate to reach out to us for more information or to start a procurement discussion. We're committed to providing high - quality products and excellent customer service.

References

  • Machinery's Handbook, 31st Edition
  • Electrical Engineering for Non - Electrical Engineers, 4th Edition