MOTOR TERMINOLOGY

This section is intended to acquaint new employees who may not be familiar with motor
terminology. It is suggested this be a starting point for initial training and understanding
of motor assembly.

Motor Basics

An electric motor converts electrical energy to magnetic energy and then to mechanical
energy. The mechanical energy is transmitted through a shaft and when attached to a
pump shaft, it performs useful work.

Electrical current flowing in a conductor (wire) induces a magnetic field around the
conductor. If the direction of the current flow is reversed, the magnetic field is also
reversed. The lines of the magnetic field travel in a circular direction (rings) around the
conductor. Their direction can best be explained by what is called the “right hand rule.”
Using the right hand, pretend to hold a roll of pennies with the fingers curled around it
and the thumb extending straight out 90° from the hand (like a “thumbs up/down” sign).
If current is flowing in the direction of your thumb (from hand to thumb tip), the
magnetic lines of force are traveling in a circular motion (rings) around the imaginary roll
of pennies in the direction of your fingers (from palm of hand to fingertips).

If a copper wire was looped and current was flowing in one direction, the magnetic field
follows the wire regardless how it is bent or formed. Where the wire crosses or loops, the
direction of the magnetic field actually opposes one another.
The magnetic force field created looks like a bar magnet has been placed inside it with
the lines of force beginning at the north pole and traveling to the south pole.

If a wire loop is placed in a magnetic field, nothing happens to it. However, if a current
is flowing through the loop of wire, a magnetic field is created. With two magnetic
fields, two sets of north and south poles are also created. From basic magnetism, two sets
of attractive (north and south) and repulsive forces (north and north or south and south)
are created. If the loop of wire is in line with the magnetic field (north to south), the
secondary magnetic field will be perpendicular to the main field. This causes two equal
and opposite forces on the loop.

This force (torque) will rotate the loop until the magnetic forces balance or have the
correct north and south orientation. Unfortunately the loop will only rotate 90° and no
further. To get the loop to rotate further requires a change in the direction of the
magnetic field. This is accomplished by changing the direction of current flowing in the
wire. With alternating current (AC) the direction of current flow changes 60 times per
second (or 50 times per second for 50 Hz power). Thus, by reversing the magnetic field
the wire loop has continual rotation. This is a basic illustration of single phase motor.

The Reda motor, like many industrial motors, uses three phase power with each phase
offset by 120°. At any point in time the sum of all three phases is zero so that all three
phases can be tied together to form a neutral. With a three phase motor, three alternating
currents produce a magnetic field that rotates within the stator 120° out of phase with the
other. Stator currents that flow in the three phases of a motor are identical to each other.
They have the same magnitude and lag their respective phase voltages by the same angle.
Phase voltages are 120 electrical degrees apart and likewise are the currents.
 Three Phase Power

All motors consist of a stationary part called a stator and a revolving part called a rotor.
The Reda submergible motor is an induction motor and derives its name from the fact
that the rotor is not connected directly to an electrical power source. Currents that
circulate in the rotor conductors are the result of voltage being induced by the magnetic
field of the stator.

A stator is made with many thin steel laminations, pressed into a steel housing and wound
with three long loops of wire – one for each phase A, B and C. When current is flowing
through a phase (group of wires), magnetic flux is induced. Magnetic flux is a set of
imaginary lines that represent the magnetic force field flowing out of the north and south
pole of a magnet. A strong magnetic field is created in the stator with its strength
proportional to the amount of current flowing through the wire loop or phase winding.
The magnetic field has a polarity depending on the direction of the current. The phase
windings or coils are distributed around the stator and are connected into pole-phase
groups. The Reda motor is wound to create two magnetic poles which is commonly
termed a two-pole motor. Motors can be wound differently to create more than two poles
such as a four-pole motor.

The Reda motor utilizes a squirrel cage type of rotor consisting of copper bars running
the length of the rotor and pressed into the slots of steel laminations, the same material as
stator laminations only smaller in diameter. The bars are short-circuited at each end by
connecting them to a copper end ring. The bars are not placed parallel (in most designs)
to the shaft but are actually skewed or placed at an angle to provide more uniform starting
torque, reduce noise and prevent the rotor from aligning with the stator and lock in
position at start up.
 Squirrel Cage Rotor
Cutaway of Stator and Rotor Laminations

Rotor Bar

Winding
Rotor
Lamination

Stator
Lamination

Bronze
Lamination Rotor Bearing

Rotor Bearing
Sleeve
Rotor Copper
End Ring

The Reda two pole, three-phase induction motor depends on a rotating magnetic field
produced in the stator to induce a voltage in the copper conductors of the rotor. Just as
current flowing in a wire causes a magnetic field, a conductor moving through a magnetic
field causes an induced current. The voltages induced in rotor bars cause currents to
flow. When the current flows in the rotor bars, a magnetic field is created which is
enclosed in the magnetic field of the stator. Like in the previous explanation with current
flowing in the loop of wire in a magnetic field, forces between conductors and the
magnetic field cause the rotor to turn. The rotor magnetic field will rotate and try to
catch up with the rotating magnetic field of the stator but never will. It is somewhat
slower in speed and this difference is called slip. Slip is necessary as a rotor turning at
3600 rpm would no longer be moving with respect to the magnetic field hence no current
would be induced and no torque produced. If a shaft is attached to the rotor, useful work
can be performed.

In summary, electrical energy is supplied to the stator. The stator converts this to a
rotating magnetic field. The stator rotating magnetic field induces current (electrical
energy) flow in the rotor bars. The current flow in the rotor bars induces a magnetic field
in the rotor. The magnetic poles of the rotor will be attracted and repulsed by the
magnetic poles of the stator. As the magnetic field in the stator rotates, the rotor tries but
never catches up to it.
The Reda motor is filled with a highly refined mineral oil to provide dielectric strength,
lubrication for bearings and good thermal conductivity. The thrust bearing carries the
load of the rotors and shaft. The nonconductive oil in the motor housing lubricates the
motor bearings and transfers heat generated in the motor to the motor housing. Heat from
the motor housing is in turn carried away by the well fluids moving past the exterior
surface of the motor.
 Typical Submergible Pump Installation

Well Head

Well Casing

Tubing

Pump

Intake/Gas
Separator

Protector

Power Cable

Motor
 Reda Production Systems Motor
Single Section

Coupling Motor
Head

Flat Cable
Extension Thrust
Bearing

Shaft

Terminal

Windings

Stator
Laminations

Housing
Rotor Bearing

Copper Rotor
Bar Rotor

Windings

Drain and
Fill Valve

Motor
Base
Motor Types
There are several construction types of submergible motors manufactured by Reda
Production Systems. Below is a summary of the most common construction types and
configurations.

Construction Types
• VMAX - This is the standard motor utilizing Kapton insulated magnet wire and M-11
(Sterling) varnish. Kapton is a polyamide film made by DuPont. It is commonly
referred to as version 90-0. It is found in the Reda catalog as SK Type (Standard +
Kapton).

This same motor can also be assembled utilizing PEEK (polyethyletherketone)

insulated magnet wire which requires no varnish. It is a 90-0 motor and appears in
the catalog as a SX Type (Standard + PEEK, no varnish).

• High Performance - This motor is the same as the standard VMAX except with a
lower conservatively fixed horsepower rating per rotor and lower load rated thrust
bearing. It is used primarily in higher temperature wells than the standard VMAX
and is designed to operate in wells up to 250° F. It is found in the catalog as either a
PX (PEEK wound) or PK (Kapton wound).

• Intermediate - This motor is the same as the standard VMAX except with a lower
conservatively fixed horsepower rating per rotor and lower load rated thrust bearing.
It is used primarily in higher temperature wells than the standard VMAX and is
designed to operate in wells up to 300° F. It is found in the catalog as either a MX
(PEEK wound) or MK (Kapton wound).

• Hotline - This motor is the same as the standard VMAX except with a lower fixed
horsepower rating per rotor. This motor is designed for operation in very hot wells
and can operate successfully with motor internal temperatures up to 500° F. It is
found in the catalog as either a HX (PEEK wound) or HK (Kapton wound).

• Dominator - This motor utilizes an involute shaft spline, coffin shaped rotor bars, a
new lamination design, a new rotor bearing, high temp/high load thrust bearing,
larger capacity oil reservoir, a stainless steel oil filter and variable rated horsepower
per rotor. Currently this motor is only offered in 562 series with Kapton magnet wire
insulation and M-11 varnish.

• 76 Type - This motor is the same as the standard VMAX and is wound with Kapton
insulated magnet wire and utilizes BC-325 varnish.

Motor Series
• 375 - The motor housing outside diameter is 3.75 inches.
• 456 - The motor housing outside diameter is 4.56 inches.
• 540 - The motor housing outside diameter is 5.40 inches.
• 562 - The motor housing outside diameter is 5.62 inches.
• 738 - The motor housing outside diameter is 5.62 inches.

Configurations
• Single Section (S) - The motor head is designed to accept the power cable connection
on top. The base has an integral "Y" connection at the bottom connecting the
windings together and cannot be connected in tandem with any other motor.

• Upper Tandem (UT) - The motor head is designed to accept the power cable
connection on top and either a center tandem motor, lower tandem motor, or universal
base on the bottom.

• Center Tandem (CT) - The motor head is designed to connect to the bottom of an
upper tandem or center tandem motor and a base designed to connect to another
center tandem motor, a lower tandem or a universal base. All flange connections are
designed so that windings from one motor will connect to the corresponding windings
of the adjacent motors.

• Lower Tandem (LT) - The motor head is designed to connect to the bottom of an
upper tandem or center tandem motor and an integral "Y" connection at the bottom
connecting the windings together.

Motor Component Description

Below is a list of the primary components of the motor and a brief description of their
function.

• Stator - This is the stationary part

of the motor that contains steel
laminations, brass laminations,
magnet wire, leads, and the
windings. Magnet wire sizes vary
according to voltage requirements.
• Housing - The housing forms the
outside shell of the motor and is
made from either carbon or ferritic
steel tubing. The inside diameter
(ID) is honed then straightened to
specification. Diameters vary from
3.75 to 7.38 inches for the various
series of equipment. Length varies
from approximately 4 ft. to 34 ft.
The housing is cut to length, each
face is machined, snap rings cut and
ID threads machined.

Single &
UT Head
• Head - The head is machined from
carbon or ferritic steel and screws
into the top of the stator housing. It
houses the shaft bushing, a portal
for entry of the power cable to the
stator, a support for the thrust
bearing for UT, CT and single
section motors and contains a fill
valve.

CT & LT
Head
 Single Section
Motor Base
• Base - The base is machined from
carbon or ferritic steel and screws
into the bottom of the stator
housing. It houses the shaft
bushing, a portal for entry of the
power cable to the stator, a support
for the thrust bearing LT motors and
contains a drain and fill valve.
UT, CT Base
Adapter

The base adapter is installed and

UT, CT Lead then the lead connection base is
Connection Base attached to the base adapter to
make a complete base assembly
on UT and CT motors.

• Lead Connection Adapter - The

adapter bolts into the motor head
and provides a means of connecting
the three phase leads of the motor to
the three phase leads of an adjacent
motor. The adapter is a machined
carbon or ferritic steel part.
• Shaft - The motor shaft is a
precision-machined steel part that
holds the rotors fixed in position
and transmits torque created by the
rotating magnetic field of the stator.
A keyway is cut in the shaft and a
rotor key locks the rotors to the
shaft. The motor shaft has a hole in
the ID that runs the full length of
the shaft. Oil holes are drilled
diametrically into the hollow shaft
to allow oil flow to the rotor
bearings. Splines are machined on
each end to couple one shaft to
another motor or to the protector
shaft. Shafts vary in length from
approximately 4.3 ft. to 34. 9 ft.
and shaft OD's vary from 1in. for
the 375 series to 2.125 in. for the
new 738 Dominator.

• Rotors - The rotor, along with the

shaft, bearings, and sleeves, makes
up the rotating assembly of the
motor. The rotor is made from the
same material as the stator
laminations. Copper rotor bars are
installed in stamped holes of the
rotor lamination and then copper
end rings are pressed into the
copper rotor bars. The rotor bars
conduct a current that is induced by
the stator creating a magnetic field.
The rotor tries to catch up to the
rotating magnetic field created by
the stator but never does. The
rotors are then machined on the OD
and ends and a keyway is broached
in the ID.
• Rotor Bearing - The rotor bearing
supports the rotor and shaft
assembly as it rotates within the
stator. The OD of the bearing
rotates very slowly in the ID of the
bronze lamination of the stator and
moves axially in the bore as the
shaft expands and contracts during
expansion and contraction due to
heating of the motor. A brass
sleeve is fixed to the OD of the
motor shaft providing a race for the
ID of rotor bearing. The rotor
bearing is a precision machined and
ground part. Dimensions and
surface finish are very critical for
long life and performance.

• Insulator - This is a white Teflon

sleeve that isolates an electrical
terminal from the base or head of a
motor.

• Thrust Washer - A thrust washer is

used between the rotor and rotor
bearing to eliminate metal to metal
contact of the rotor bearing and
rotor as the shaft and rotor
subassembly grows in length due to
heat during operation. Thrust
washers are made of phenolic resin.
• Thrust Bearing - The function of
the thrust bearing is to carry the
load of the rotor and shaft
subassembly. It consists of a
precision machined carbon steel
runner that is keyed to the motor Thrust
Bearing
shaft and the bearing. The bearing
may be made from a variety of
materials depending on load
carrying capacity and temperature
Runner
rating. The standard marine type
thrust bearing consists of babbited
pads that are poured, machined and
then lapped to specification for a
superior surface finish. Some other
types of pads utilize Teflon coating
and tilt independently of one
another.

• Rotor Key - The rotor key is a

rectangular shaped steel part
approximately the same length as
the rotor. The key is slid in the
keyway of the rotor and motor shaft
to lock the rotor to the shaft.

• Rotor Bearing Sleeve - This is a

precision machined and ground
bronze sleeve that is keyed to the
motor shaft and serves as the
bearing race for the rotor bearing.
Dimensional tolerance and surface
finish are very critical for a long
lasting bearing system. A hole is
drilled through one side of the
sleeve that coincides with the
location of the holed drilled in the
shaft to allow oil flow from the
shaft ID to the rotor bearing.
Rotor Bearing Sleeve Key - This is a
bronze, flat "U" shaped key
approximately the same length as the
rotor bearing sleeve. Its purpose is to
lock the sleeve to the motor shaft.

• Terminals - The terminal is a round

tubular-shaped machined copper
part that connects the stator lead to
the motor flat cable extension. The
terminal is soldered to the lead wire.

• Leads - These are the three wires

that are connected to the three
phases of the copper magnet wire of
the stator. The lead wire is
composed of stranded cable that is
soldered to the solid copper magnet
wire. Mousing wire is then
wrapped around the connection to
secure it in place.
Pothead - The pothead is the
termination point of the power cable
through the motor. The motor flat cable
extension fastens on to the motor head
at the pothead.

• Terminal Connector - This is the

rubber insulated, donut-shaped "Y"
connection found in the universal
motor base to electrically connect
the three phases of the stator leads.

• Filter - The filter consists of a

metal screen to trap any metal
particles or shavings, varnish or
other contamination that might have
a detrimental effect on the bearings,
lubrication system or run life of the
motor. The filter is currently only
employed in the Dominator
designed motors.
• Lead Guard - Commonly referred
to as the "cookie cutter" because of
its thin shaped geometry, the lead
guard is a spun metal part used in
center and lower tandem motors to
prevent the leads from contacting
the motor shaft and thrust bearing.

• Magnet Wire - Magnet wire is the

solid copper conductor used for
winding the stator. It may be
insulated with either Kapton or
PEEK. Magnet wire is inserted
into the lamination slots using
winding needles to guide it through.
The needles are round solid rods
and are approximately the same OD
as the wire and length of the stator.
The same number of needles is used
per slot as the desired number of
wires per slot. The number of wires
per slots depends on the wire
diameter and voltage requirement of
the stator. The wire is pushed
against the winding needle,
displacing it as it moves to the other
end. Once the wire reaches the end
of the stator, the needle is removed,
and the wire is attached to a
winding reel which pulls the rest of
the magnet wire through. The wire
is then formed in a coil at the
opposite end by the winder and then
re-inserted in another slot
containing winding needles. The
process continues until all eighteen
slots are filled with magnet wire and
the three electrical phases of the
stator are formed.
• Laminations - There are two types
of laminations found in the stator -
steel and bronze. The steel
laminations are made from specially
formulated lamination steel Bronze
common to the motor industry. The
thin steel is used to minimize eddy
currents that result when current is
applied through windings. Steel
Laminations are stamped with 18
slots for the magnet wire and a large
hole for the rotor. The laminations
have a special black oxide coating
that forms a protective film and
insulator. The center of the steel
stator lamination is used for making
the rotor lamination. Laminations
are keyed onto a loading mandrel
and then pressed into the stator
housing. The thin laminations are Center Lam.
pressed into the housing and held in used for making
Rotor Lamination
place under tonnage with a snap
ring. The slots of all the
laminations must be aligned
properly for the insertion of the
copper magnet wire.

The bronze laminations are identical

in shape but are made of bronze.
The ID of the bronze lamination
forms a bearing surface for the OD
of the rotor bearing to spin. Bronze
laminations are spaced on the
loading mandrel to coincide with
the location of the rotor bearing.

• M-11/Sterling Varnish - This is

the solventless, polybutlydiene
varnish used with Kapton insulated
magnet wire. Varnish is applied to
the magnet wire after the stator has
been wound using a vacuum
process and heating the stator
through the windings to solidify and
cure the varnish.
• Universal Base - UT and CT
motors do not have a base like the
single section motor that "Y"
connects the three phases together
and seals the end. A universal base
is a machined part that connects to
the base of an UT and CT motor for
this purpose.

• Shims - Thin brass shims are used

if the required minimum clearance
between the rotor and rotor bearing
is not achieved after installing the
thrust washers. The shim is
installed between the steel core of
the rotor and the thrust washer.