PowerPoint® Presentation

Chapter 2
Motor Nameplates

Motor Nameplate Data • Electrical

Ratings • Current Rating • Phase •
Operating Ratings • Power Rating •
Usage Rating • Motor Efficiency
Rating • Mechanical Design Codes •
Frame Size • NEMA Design Letter
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

A nameplate is a metal tag permanently attached to an

electric motor frame that gives the required electrical
ratings, operating ratings, and mechanical-design
codes of the motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The voltage rating is the

voltage level that a motor can
use. All motors are designed
for optimum performance at a
specific voltage level.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

When voltage unbalance is present, the motor may

need to be derated.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The current rating is the amount of current a motor

draws when delivering full rated power output.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

A locked-rotor indicating code

letter is a designation for the range
of locked-rotor current draw per
motor horsepower.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The frequency rating is the

power line frequency at
which a motor is designed to
operate. For variable-
frequency drives, the V/Hz
ratio can be manipulated to
modify torque
characteristics.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The phase rating is the

power phase (1f, 3f, or
DC) that a motor
requires. Some electric
motor drives allow the
input power to the drive
to be of a different type
and at a different voltage
level than the power
required by the motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The power rating is the

amount of power a motor
can deliver to a load.
Motors designed for the
U.S. market that are 1/20
HP or greater are typically
rated in HP, and motors that
are less than 1/20 HP are
typically rated in watts (W).
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The usage rating is a

description of the
expected or allowed
application of a motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The service factor rating is a multiplier that represents

the amount of extra load that can be placed on a
motor without causing damage.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The speed rating of a

motor is the approximate
speed at which a motor
rotates when delivering
rated power to a load. Slip
is the difference between
the synchronous speed
and rated speed of a
motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The duty cycle is the amount of

time a motor can be operated
without being turned OFF to allow
for cooling.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

Motor efficiency is a
measure of the
effectiveness with
which a motor
converts electrical
energy to mechanical
energy. Energy-
efficient motors are
more expensive than
standard motors but
cost less to operate.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The ambient temperature rating is

the maximum allowable
temperature of the air surrounding
an object. The permissible
temperature rise is the difference
between the ambient temperature
and the nameplate ambient
temperature rating of a motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

Ambient temperature
correction charts
provide temperature
correction factors to
derate motor
specifications.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The insulation class is

a code letter signifying
the maximum
operating temperature
of the insulation used
in a motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The frame size is a number

designating standard
dimensions of a motor
housing, shaft, and
mounting holes.
Standardized dimensions
allow for interchangeability
among different motor
manufacturers.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

For fractional-HP
frame sizes, the frame
number represents the
distance from the
bottom of the base to
the center of the shaft
in 16ths of an inch.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

For integral-HP frame sizes,

the first two digits of the frame
number represent the distance
from the bottom of the base to
the center of the shaft in 4ths
of an inch. The third and fourth
(if required) numbers in the
frame number are assigned by
doubling dimension F of the
motor and applying the Motor
Frame Table.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

The NEMA design letter is a code letter representing

a National Electrical Manufacturers Association
(NEMA) motor classification for the torque and
current curves of a motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

A design B motor has normal locked-rotor torque, low

slip, and fairly high starting current.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

A design C motor has

higher locked-rotor
torque than a design B
motor, with low slip.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

A design D motor has

the highest locked-rotor
torque, with higher slip
than design B and
design C motors.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

An open motor enclosure is

a motor enclosure with
openings to allow passage
of air to cool the windings.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

A totally enclosed motor

enclosure is a motor
enclosure that prevents air
from entering the motor.
 Chapter 2 — Motor Nameplates

A motor bearing is a
machine component used to
reduce friction and maintain
clearance between
stationary and moving parts.