The service factor - SF - is a measure of periodically overload capacity at which a motor can operate without overload or damage

The service factor - SF - is a measure of periodically overload capacity at which a motor can operate without overload or damage. The NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) standard service factor for totally enclosed motors is 1.0. A motor operating continuously at a service factor greater than 1 will have a reduced life expectancy compared to operating at at its rated nameplate horsepower. NEMA Service Factor at Synchronous Speed (RPM) for drip proof motors:

Service Factor - SF Power (HP) 3600 1/6, 1/4, 1/3 1/2 3/4 1 1 1/2 and up 1.35 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.115 Synchronous Speed (RPM) 1800 1.35 1.25 1.25 1.15 1.15 1200 1.35 1.25 1.15 1.15 1.15 900 1.35 1.25 1.15 1.15 1.15

Example - Service Factor

A 1 HP motor with a Service Factor - SF = 1.15 can operate at 1 HP x 1.15 = 1.15 HP without overheating or otherwise damaging the motor if rated voltage and frequency are supplied to the motor. Insulation life and bearings life are reduced by the service factor load
1. AC Motor Service Factor Rating Pertaining to the service factor rating on an AC 3PH motor: Correct me if I am wrong: the service factor rating value is a multiplier that is used to calculate the HP that the motor can provide above the rated (nameplate) HP. Before anyone explains why this rating should not be used when designing applications, keep in mind I have no intention of using this rating to get extra out of our motors. This is just for my own understanding. We recently had an issue where an existing motor driving a fan and the fan shaft mount worn out. The fan was replaced but the new one had a more aggressive blade pitch and thus put more of a load on the motor. The motor is 460VAC, 3PH, 2HP, 60Hz, across the line contactor for control, and heater overloads for over-current protection (old system that will not be upgraded). The heater overloads continually trip out because of the increased load. One of our associates said why don't we just put in bigger heater overloads? This, of course, was not the correct solution, but it got me thinking. Here is my question: If the service factor is a multiplier of the HP rating, is there a way to relate this multiplier to the motor current? If our 2 HP motor has a SF of 1.15, then it can produce 2.3 HP. What is the motor current at this rating? Correct me if I am wrong, but multiplying the FLA rating by the SF does not give a correct value. Or, is this one of those situations where there are too many variables for a generic relationship to be established, and each specific system would need to be analyzed individually? Or is there something I am missing totally? Thanks for any feedback in advance.

1. Understanding a motors service factor for selecting overload devices. I recently have been presented with a few cases where it was questioned weather or not a motors overload protection value could be increased to allow the motor to run into its service factor. For the sake of this thread lets just say we are talking about a motor with a FLA of 10A and a S.F of 1.15.

Let say this motor is in operation and it is seen that due to the load the motor typically runs at around 11A, and is tripping the motor. We then ask the question weather or not the motor overload protection can be increased to 11.5A to account for the service factor. Now my typical answer would be that yes you can increase this value however you are shortening the life of the motor if it is run continuously. But what if the load is not a continuous load such as one that is cyclical? Of course my example above is typically referring to an electronic overload where an exact FLA value can be entered. But one thing I am constantly struggling with is the application of bi-metal relays. Typically these bi-metal relays are listed in ranges. So for the sake of example what if the motor is operaing with a bi-metal overload with a high range of 10.5A and we look at the next range up to possibly allow operation into the service factor. Lets say this next range goes between 11-14A or so. If we increase to this next level to allow operation into the service factor, are we properly protecting the motor considering the high limit of this range? I also notice that most bi-metal relay charts have a fine print note stating that that a particular bimetal realy range accounts for 125% of the motors FLA for 40deg ambient motors and if the motor is not a 40deg ambient motor then the next range down should be selected. Does this 125% account for the same 125% that the NEC allows for 40deg ambient motors or motors with 1.15 SF's? Does the 40deg statement listed in this note represent the S.F. of a motor? If my motor does not have a 1.15 S.F. should I select the next range down? How does all of this change with electronic overloads. I recently read an article that stated a motor that is protected with RTD's could be operated higher than its FLA rating as long at the RTD's do not increase over the insulations max temperature rating. So using my example above what if we were able to operate this motor up to a load of 15A as long as we stayed under the insulation class max rating determined by RTD's? Looking at Class F insulation it has a max temperature of 155deg. For a 1.0 S.F motor it appears that a temp rise of 105 degrees is allowed bringing the max temp to 145 deg and allowing 10deg for hot spots. For a 1.15 S.F. motor a 115 deg rise is allowed bringing the total temp rise to the max insulation temp rating. Is this why S.F. operation is dangerous due to the fact that if there are hot spots when operating at 1.15SF then we are risking exceeding the insulations max temp rating?

Just What Is A Service Factor?

This is a question we regularly receive on the Hotline. Understanding how the service factor affects an electric motor can be confusing, but it is not as complicated as it may seem. This issue of the Franklin AID explains the term service factor and its relationship to AC submersible motors.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) defines service factor in section MG1 - 1.43 of their manual as: "The service factor of an alternating current (AC) motor is a multiplier which, when applied to the rated horsepower, indicates a permissible horsepower loading which may be carried under the conditions specified for the service factor." The conditions under which service factor may be applied are described in NEMA MG1 - 14.36 as: "When the voltage and frequency are maintained at the value specified on the motor's nameplate, the motor may be overloaded up to the horsepower obtained by multiplying the rated horsepower by the service factor shown on the nameplate." How does Service Factor (S.F.) Apply To A Motor? To determine the service factor horsepower of a motor, multiply the nameplate horsepower (not amperage) by the service factor. For example, if a 1/2 Hp motor has a service factor of 1.6, the motor's service factor maximum horsepower is:

(0.5 HP) x (1.6 S.F.) = 0.8 Hp.

Likewise, a 10 Hp motor with a nameplate service factor of 1.15, as shown in example 1, has a service factor If maximum horsepower of:

(10 HP) x (1.15 S.F.) = 11.5 Hp

Franklin Electric submersible motors have service factors in agreement with NEMA guidelines for "pump motors". Table I lists the service factors and horsepower ratings for Franklin's 60 Hz submersible motors. 50 Hz submersible motors generally have a service factor rating of 1.0.

How Does Service Factor Relate to Motor Amps? Franklin 60 Hz motors typically show two amperage values on the nameplate and in the specification sections of the Application Installation Maintenance (AIM) manual. The first value labeled "amps" or "rated input amps" is the expected running amps when the motor is operated at rated voltage and nameplate horsepower loads. The second value labeled "SF Max Amps" or "Max A" is the expected running amps when the motor is operated at rated voltage and service factor horsepower loads.

Even though amps may increase slightly when input voltage is higher or lower than nameplate voltage, the motor amp reading remains the simplest indicator of motor load. your motor amp reading is higher than nameplate service factor amps, the horsepower load probably exceeds the service factor horsepower rating. What Do I Check If The Amps Are Higher Than Nameplate Max Amps? If the amperage reading of your motor is higher than ameplate service factor maximum amps, you should check the following: FRANKLIN 60 HERTZ SERVICE FACTORS HP SERVICE SERVICE RATING FACTOR FACTOR HP 1/3 1.75 .58 1/2 1.60 .80 3/4 1.50 1.12 1 1.40 1.40 1 1.30 1.95 2 1.25 2.50 3 1.15 3.45 5 1.15 5.75 7 1.15 8.62 10 1.15 11.50 15 1.15 17.25 20 1.15 23.00 25 1.15 28.75 30 1.15 34.50 40 1.15 46.00 50 1.15 57.50 60 1.15 69.00 75 1.15 86.25 100 1.15 115.00 125 1.15 143.75 150 1.15 72.50 175 1.15 201.25 200 1.15 230.00

Voltage within 10% of nameplate voltage Proper cooling flow past the motor as recommended by Franklin's AIM manual

Use of recommended drop cable size Phase (current) imbalance less than 5% at S.F. load on three-phase motors

Specified pump performance matches the application

Insulation resistance is good and there is no ground fault in the system

If any of these criteria are not met, the system should be corrected. If you have a voltage supply problem or phase imbalance still exists after rotation of the leads, contact the power company. Correct any deficiencies in cable sizing and motor cooling as well as a ground fault or low insulation

resistance condition. If there is a concern related to matching the pump and the application, consult with the pump distributor or manufacturer.

Review Service factor is a multiplier that can be applied to a motor's nameplate horsepower to determine the permissible loading under specified installation conditions. By understanding service factor and its relation to motor amps and proper installation conditions, you should be able to get the longest life out of your system and avoid service calls from your customer.