How do you calculate the power efficiency of a machine?

To calculate the power efficiency of a machine, you divide the power output by the power input. This formula is crucial as it allows you to determine how effectively a machine converts the energy supplied to it into useful work. Efficiency is expressed as a ratio or percentage, indicating the portion of input power that is successfully turned into output power.

When using power output divided by power input, you get a value that represents efficiency: if the output is high compared to the input, the machine is operating efficiently. In contrast, if a large amount of input power is lost (as waste heat, noise, vibration, etc.), the efficiency will be lower. This efficient measurement is critical in various applications, as it helps engineers and operators understand machine performance and optimize systems for better energy use.