MOTOR KVA CODE

NEMA A, B, C and D Electrical Motor Design

NEMA has established the four different designs A, B, C and D for
electrical induction motors.
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Different motors with the same nominal horsepower may have different start current, torque
curves, speeds and other variables. When selection a particular motor for an intended task all
engineering parameters must be taken into account.

The four NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) designs have unique speed-

torque-slip relationships - making them suited for different type of applications.

NEMA design A

 maximum 5% slip
 high to medium starting current
 normal locked rotor torque
 normal breakdown torque
 suited for a broad variety of applications - like fans and pumps
NEMA design B
  maximum 5% slip
 low starting current
 high locked rotor torque
 normal breakdown torque
 suited for a broad variety of applications with normal starting torques - common in HVAC
application with fans, blowers and pumps
NEMA design C

 maximum 5% slip
 low starting current
 high locked rotor torque
 normal breakdown torque
 suited for equipment with high inertia and high starting torques at start  - like positive
displacement pumps, conveyors
NEMA design D

 maximum 5-13% slip
 low starting current
 very high locked rotor torque
 suited for equipment with very high inertia starts - like cranes, hoists etc.

NEMA Three Phase Electric Motor

Designs
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Three phase induction motors are specified by their electrical design type. NEMA 
(National Electrical Manufacturers Association) has classified three phase AC motors
into design A, B, C, D. A more recent design called E has been added. These designs
are suited to particular classes of applications based upon the load requirements
typical of each class.

As a motor operates from no load to full load, its torque varies with speed. The
relationship between speed and torque is often shown in a graph, called a speed-
torque curve. This curve shows the motor’s torque, as a percentage of full-load
torque, over the motor’s full speed range, shown as a percentage of its synchronous
speed. NEMA classification is based on the speed-torque curves. Typical speed-torque
curve for designs A, B, C, and D is shown below:
Characteristics of NEMA Three phase Motor Designs

NEMA Design A Motors

The table below shows the typical characteristics of all NEMA A Motors:
 High locked rotor torque
 High locked rotor current
Basic Characteristics

Locked Rotor Torque (% of Full-

70 - 275%
load Torque)

Pull - Up Torque (% of Full-load 65 - 190%

Torque)

Breakdown Torque (% of Full-load

175 - 300%
Torque)
Locked Rotor Current (% of Full-
Load Current)  -

Slip 0.5 - 5%
Fans, blowers, centrifugal pumps
 and compressors, motor-generator sets, etc., where starting torque
Areas of Application
requirements are relatively low
Efficiency High or Medium

NEMA Design B Motors

The table below shows the typical characteristics of all NEMA B Motors. NEMA design B
motor is the most common three-phase AC induction motor design.
 Normal locked rotor torque
 Normal locked rotor current
Basic Characteristics

Locked Rotor Torque (% of Full-

70 - 275%
load Torque)

Pull - Up Torque (% of Full-load 65 - 190%

Torque)

Breakdown Torque (% of Full-load

175 - 300%
Torque)
Locked Rotor Current (% of Full-
Load Current)  600 - 700%

Slip 0.5 - 5%
Fans, blowers, centrifugal pumps
and compressors, motor-generator sets, etc., where starting torque
Areas of Application
requirements are relatively low
Efficiency High or Medium

NEMA Design C Motors

The table below shows the typical characteristics of all NEMA C Motors:
 High locked rotor torque
 Normal locked rotor current
Basic Characteristics

Locked Rotor Torque (% of Full-load Torque) 200 - 285%

140 - 195%
Pull - Up Torque (% of Full-load Torque)
Breakdown Torque (% of Full-load Torque) 190 - 225%

Locked Rotor Current (% of Full-Load Current)

 600 - 700%

Slip 1 - 5%
Conveyors, crushers, stirring
motors, agitators, reciprocating
pump and compressors, etc.,
Areas of Application
where starting under load is
required
Efficiency Medium

NEMA Design D Motors.

The table below shows the typical characteristics of all NEMA D Motors:
 Normal locked rotor torque
 High slip
Basic Characteristics

Locked Rotor Torque (% of Full-load Torque) 275%

Pull - Up Torque (% of Full-load Torque) -

Breakdown Torque (% of Full-load Torque) 275%

Locked Rotor Current (% of Full-Load Current)

 600 - 700%

Slip 5 - 8%
High peak loads with or without
flywheels such as punch presses,
shears, elevators, extractors,
Areas of Application
winches, hoists, oil-well pumping
and wire-drawing motors
Efficiency Low

NEMA Design E Motors

This is the newest NEMA design category. Below are the typical characteristics of 
NEMA E motors:
 Normal locked rotor torque
  Normal locked rotor current
Basic Characteristics  Low slip

Locked Rotor Torque (% of Full-load Torque) 75 - 190%

Pull - Up Torque (% of Full-load Torque) 60 - 140%

Breakdown Torque (% of Full-load Torque) 160 - 200%

Locked Rotor Current (% of Full-Load Current)

 800 - 1000%

Slip 0.5 - 3%
Fans, blowers, centrifugal pumps
and compressors, motor-generator
Areas of Application sets, etc., where starting torque
requirements are relatively low
Efficiency High