Why does my 1/3HP sump pump draw 9.7A @120V?

Typical power factor of an electric motor is fairly widely said to be .8. So that is 931 watts rather than 1164. For motors under half a horsepower, power factor is often even be less - your motor may be drawing closer to 800 watts if drawing 9.6 amps.

Also, is that 9.7 amps an actual measured value, or something merely to be allowed for? I had an impression that a 1/3 horsepower motor draws closer to 5 amps and has loss around or under 100 watts (or else it would roast). 1/3 horsepower is about 250 watts, so I suspect a 1/3 horsepower motor would draw maybe 350 watts, unlikely more than 400. Either that high amp figure is some conservative allowance, or something smells rotten here.

- Don Klipstein ( snipped-for-privacy@misty.com)

That was measured (9.77 to be exact) and the motor plate is stamped

Here's the pump...