July 2007

Process Industry Practices

Electrical

PIP ELEMT01
Guidelines for Selecting IEEE and API Standards
for AC Motors 250 HP (185 kW) and Larger
 PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence
over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters
or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not
be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names
from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather
recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines
are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA
requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or
other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed.
Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time.

© Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The

University of Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin,
Texas 78759. PIP member companies and subscribers may copy this Practice
for their internal use. Changes, overlays, addenda, or modifications of any
kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written
authorization of PIP.

PRINTING HISTORY
July 2007 Issued

Not printed with State funds

 July 2007

Process Industry Practices

Electrical

PIP ELEMT01
Guidelines for Selecting IEEE and API Standards
for AC Motors 250 HP (185 kW) and Larger
Table of Contents
1. Introduction................................. 2
1.1 Purpose ............................................. 2
1.2 Scope................................................. 2

2. References .................................. 2
2.1 Industry Codes and Standards .......... 2

3. General Guidelines..................... 2
4. IEEE 841 ...................................... 3
5. API 541 ........................................ 3
6. API 546 ........................................ 4
7. API 547 ........................................ 4
8. API Data Sheets .......................... 4

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PIP ELEMT01 July 2007
Guidelines for Selecting IEEE and API Standards for AC Motors 250 HP (185 kW) and Larger

1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose
This Practice provides guidelines for selecting Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) and American Petroleum Institute (API) standards for 250 hp
(185 kW) and larger AC squirrel-cage induction motors and synchronous motors.

1.2 Scope
This Practice provides guidance for selecting Institute of Electrical and Electronic
Engineers (IEEE) and API standards for design, fabrication, inspection, testing,
shipment, and documentation of 250 hp (185 kW) and larger AC squirrel-cage
induction motors and synchronous motors.

2. References
Applicable parts of the following industry standards and associated data sheets shall be
considered an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the date of contract award
shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles are used herein where appropriate.

2.1 Industry Codes and Standards

• American Petroleum Institute (API)

– API 541 – Form-Wound Squirrel-Cage Induction Motors - 500 Horsepower
and Larger
– API 546 – Brushless Synchronous Machines - 500 kVA and Larger
– API 547 – General-Purpose Form-Wound Squirrel Cage Induction Motors -
250 Horsepower and Larger
• Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
– IEEE 841 – Standard for Petroleum and Chemical Industry - Severe Duty
Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled (TEFC) Squirrel Cage Induction Motors - up to
and including 370 kW (500 hp)
• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
– MG 1 – Motors and Generators

3. General Guidelines
General application guidelines for selecting a standard for AC induction motors 250 hp
(185 kW) can be summarized by the following table.

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July 2007 PIP ELEMT01
Guidelines for Selecting IEEE and API Standards for AC Motors 250 HP (185 kW) and Larger

Table 1 – Application Guidelines for Each Standard

Application IEEE 841 API 547 API 541 API 546
Coupled loads X X X X
Belted loads X
Axial loads X X X
Non Recip Compressors X X X X
Reciprocating X X
Compressors
Centrifugal pumps X X X X
Vertical turbine pumps X X X
Fans & blowers X X X X
Induction generator X
Division 2 (Zone 2) X X X X
Adjustable speed (ASD) X X X

4. IEEE 841
IEEE 841 should be applied to squirrel cage induction motors, up to and including 500 hp
(375 kW), in NEMA frame size, for general-purpose and industrial severe duty applications
for the following cases (excluded from the scope of this standard are motors with sleeve
bearings):

a. Two-pole and slower TEFC or TENV motors 250 hp through 500 hp

b. Drive centrifugal loads
c. Drive loads having inertia values within those listed in NEMA MG 1 Part 20
d. Motors that are not induction generators
e. Drive belted loads
f. Drive axial loads
g. Drive vertical pumps
h. Motors in Adjustable Speed Drive service

5. API 541
API 541 should be applied to form-wound squirrel-cage induction motors 500 hp (375 kW)
and larger that have one or more of the following characteristics:

a. Is in critical service
b. Is larger than 3000 hp (2250 kW) for speeds 1800 rpm and less
c. Is rated 800 hp (600 kW) or greater for two-pole (i.e., 3000 and 3600 rpm) machines of
totally-enclosed construction
d. Is rated 1250 hp (930 kW) or greater for two-pole machines of open or guarded
construction including machines with WP-I or WP-II type enclosures
e. Driving a high-inertia load greater than the load Wk2 listed in NEMA MG-1 Part 20

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PIP ELEMT01 July 2007
Guidelines for Selecting IEEE and API Standards for AC Motors 250 HP (185 kW) and Larger

f. Uses an adjustable speed drive as a source of power

g. Is an induction generator
h. Is a vertical machine rated 500 hp (375 kW) or greater
i. Operates in an abnormally hostile environment

6. API 546
API 546 should be applied to form-wound and bar-wound brushless synchronous machines.
The standard includes synchronous motors and generators with two different rotor designs.

a. Salient-pole type rotor with solid or laminated poles

b. Cylindrical type rotor with solid or laminated construction

7. API 547
API 547 should be applied to form-wound squirrel-cage induction motors for general-purpose
and industrial severe duty applications for the following cases:

a. Are rated 250 hp (185 kW) through 3000 hp (2250 kW) for four-, six-, and eight-pole
speeds
b. Are rated less than 800 hp (600 kW) for two-pole (i.e., 3000 and 3600 rpm) motors of
totally-enclosed construction
c. Are rated less than 1250 hp (930 kW) for two-pole motors of WP II type enclosures
d. Driving centrifugal loads
e. Driving loads having inertia values within those listed in NEMA MG 1 Part 20
f. Are not induction generators

8. API Data Sheets

8.1 The API data sheets associated with the API standards referenced in this Practice
should be completed in order to completely inform the motor manufacturer of the
requirements.
8.2 The API standards include appendixes that provide guidance for making data sheet
selections.

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