EE428 Industrial Process Control

Dr. Ammar Hasan

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 6.14 Motor Nameplate: NEMA
• There are many manufacturers that make the
different types of AC motors
• When producing a motor that will be used in
the United States, manufacturers must comply
with certain standards.
• The regulation agency that establishes and
enforces the required specifications is the
National Electrical Manufacturing Association
(NEMA)
Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST
 6.14 Motor Nameplate: NEMA
• These standards include:
• Electrical voltage and current ratings
• Dimensions of the mounting bolt holes
• Diameter of the motor shalt
• Distance between the center of the shaft and the
mounting plate.
• Compliance to these standards ensures
interchangability between motors built by
different companies.
Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST
 The Nameplate
• Electric motors have a metal plate mounted
on the housing.
• Its purpose is to provide pertinent information
about the motor, especially if it becomes
defective and needs to be replaced.
• The data printed on the motor must comply
with NEMA standards.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 The Nameplate

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Model
• The model number identifies a motor that has
specific operating characteristics.
• It is also a reference tool when using a
manufacturers catalog that has all the
information available about the motor.
• This number is particularly useful when
returning a motor under warranty or for
finding an exact replacement.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Horsepower
• This is the horsepower that the motor is
designed to produce.
• A replacement motor should have the exact
hp rating.
• In an emergency, a motor with a higher
horsepower can be used as a substitute, but
because it would not run at full load, it would
be inefficient.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 RPM or Speed
• The speed ofa motor is the rpm at which the-
shaft rotates.
• The number on the nameplate is usually the
nominal no-load speed.
• In this example, it is 3450 rpm.
• If it becomes overloaded, the motor will slow
down to below the rated speed.
• Common rated speeds of AC motors are 1750,
1175, and 890 rpm.
Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST
 Volts
• This is the voltage at which the motor is designed to
operate.
• Common voltages for single- phase motors are 115 V
and 230 V
• Common voltages for three-phase motors are 230 V
and 460 V
• Less common voltage ratings for motors are 208,
550, 660, and 2300 volts.
• Motors are designed to operate within 10 percent of
their rated voltages to compensate for line losses.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Current
• This value refers to how many amps the motor will
draw from each phase when producing its rated
output power.
• The sample shows two amperage ratings. The higher
value is the current draw when connected to the
lower voltage listed on the nameplate (115 V).
• This information is useful for determining the
required size of the wires, brushes, and contactors
through which current from the supply lines flows.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Frequency
• This value specifies that the motor is designed to
operate at a particular AC frequency.
• Most motors in the United States run at 60 Hz.
Outside the United States, especially in Western
Europe, 50 Hz is the common frequency used.
• Some motors cannot operate at a frequency other
than the one listed on its nameplate.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Duty Rating
• The abbreviation “CONT” in indicates that it is a
continuous duty motor.
• Most motors are designed for continuous output at
their rated power, which means they can run 24
hours per day.
• However, some motors are designed for intermittent
operation, which means there is a certain amount of
time they can run before they need to be shut down
to cool off before resuming operation.
• For example, a motor with the number 20 on the
nameplate, following the heading “Duty,” can
operate for 20 minutes before it must be turned off.
Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST
 Thermally Protected
• Some motors have a mechanism that protects them
by creating an electrical open if the temperature
rises above a particular level.
• The motor shuts off when this condition occurs.
• Some motors have an automatic reset feature, which
turns the motor back on after it cools off.
• The letter M on the sample nameplate indicates that
the reset mechanism must be reset manually to
resume its operation.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Type
• Motors have design ratings designated by letters. The
most common are the letters A, B, C, and D.
• Each one is determined by the way the motor is
wound, which affects the start and run
characteristics.
• Type A Special
• Type B Normal Starting Torque (Most Common)
• Type C High Starting Torque
• Type D High Starting Torque and High Slip (used for
punch presses)

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Service Factor (SF)
• This value indicates if a motor can operate above its
rated horsepower.
• If it has an SF number of 1.0, it cannot operate above
the hp rating listed on the nameplate.
• If it has an SF number of 1.25, for example, it can
produce 1.25 times its rated horsepower without
damage.
• The drawback of running in this condition is that the
efficiency and power factor of the motor will be
lower than when it rims at its rated speed.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Phase (PH)
• This value indicates if the motor is a single-phase or a
three-phase motor.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Power Factor (PF)
• This value indicates the percentage of apparent
power used by the motor.
• All -motors have a power factor, which is affected by
their inductive load.
• A high PF number is desirable.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Ambient Temperature (AMB)
• This value is the maximum temperature of the
surrounding air within which a motor can safely
operate.
• If it is exposed to a higher temperature environment,
it will overheat and become damaged.
• The value on the sample nameplate is 40°C, or 104°F.
• A replacement motor should not have an ambient
temperature rating lower than the one it is replacing.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Insulation Class (INS)
• Motors are constructed with wires that have
insulation materials that can withstand different
temperatures.
• There are four common classes with different
temperature ratings:
• Class A 105°C
• Class B 130°C
• Class C 155°C
• Class D 180°C

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

Motor Enclosure of Housing (HSG)
• This information indicates the ventilation
requirements of the motor. Examples are as follows:
• Open to Air: This motor has an internal fan that pulls
air from one end and pushes it through the other
end. The term “OPEN” on the sample nameplate
indicates this type of motor housing enclosure.
• Open Drip Proof: A vent is placed at the bottom to
prevent drops of liquid or solids from falling on the
motor at an angle of not greater than 15° vertical.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 Motor Enclosure of Housing (HSG)
• Totally Enclosed: This motor is cooled by convection
as an external fan blows air over its housing, and it is
used in dusty, dirty, and corrosive atmospheres.
• EP — Explosion Proof: This motor is used in
hazardous environments that contain gas vapors,
coal dust, or alcohol. Its housing is made to be extra
strong to prevent an internal explosion from igniting
a gas or vapor in the surrounding atmosphere.

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 NEMA Frame Number
(not mentioned in the book)
• Specifies the different dimensions of the motor

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST

 NEMA Frame Number
• Some examples include

Dr. Ammar Hasan SEECS, NUST