Sometimes, the current drawn from the power supply (when the motor is controlled by an intelligent drive) is mistakenly viewed as the current through the motor.

In order to control the motor current, usually only a fraction of the available DC bus voltage is applied to the motor. This depends on the motor phase resistance (when the motor is standing still), and also on the motor back e.m.f. when the motor is commanded to move. In all cases, it also depends on the load characteristics.

Taking into account the balance of power between the power supply and the inverter/motor assembly (and simplifying the motor model to a DC motor):

U_dc * I_dc = U_mot * I_mot = R * I_mot²

Since usually, as explained above, U_dc > U_mot, then it’s clear that I_dc is different from (and lower than) I_mot.