Motor Enclosures: What You Need to Know

Hydraulic Institute

An overview of the various descriptions of motor enclosures in North America, comparing the enclosure descriptions in NEMA MG 1 !""# and $E% &""#' ()&""#' &, enclosures in e*plosion proof atmospheres, and other industr+ enclosure descriptions,

!a le &. Influences on the selection of type and design of motor enclosures.

-urpose All electric motors (motors) have a housing that contains the working components of the motor. In the U.S., the enclosure descri es this housing. !he enclosure should meet specific environmental re"uirements for restricting foreign o #ects, such as water, dust, and tools, and safety re"uirements for personal protection. $epending upon the e%tent of containment, cooling considerations add to the design of the enclosure.

General Motor Enclosure %onsiderations 'hen selecting the correct motor enclosure, numerous considerations must e made for

!a le 0. .ommon *+,A ,otor +nclosures.

determining the overall re"uirements of such enclosures. (undamentally, these are governed y three ma#or influences, which must then e analy)ed further ased on specific industry and application varia les. All resulting re"uirements are driven y the common need to safeguard the functionality of the e"uipment and to protect oth personnel and environment. !hese considerations are summari)ed in !a le &. NEMA .tandards MG 1 !""# !he *ational +lectrical ,anufacturers Association (*+,A) provides a minimum standard for general-purpose industrial A. alternating current s"uirrel-cage induction motors. !his *+,A Standard is designated as ,/ &-0112. 'ithin this standard, descriptions are provided for various classifications of protection for motor enclosures in Section & - .lassification According to +nvironmental 3rotection and ,ethods of .ooling. *+,A provides definitions for various motor enclosures. In general, there are two primary categories - open and totally enclosed. An open motor has openings that allow e%ternal air to pass over and around the motor windings that provides re"uired cooling. Although it is not airtight, the enclosure of a totally enclosed motor limits cooling of the windings from the e%ternal atmosphere. ,otor cooling for totally enclosed motors is typically done y some e%ternal means such as a fan or water cooling. !a le 0 provides a summary of the *+,A motor enclosure definitions.

!a le 2. Summary of I+. .ode for $egree of 3rotection.

!he enclosure is selected depending upon the environment and cooling method in which the motor will e operated. !he application environment will determine the degree of protection for personal safety, water, or vapors. It is the responsi ility of the purchaser to specify the motor enclosure. $E% /esignations !he national standards of +urope and developing countries are, in general, ased on the International +lectrotechnical .ommission (I+.). ,any of the motor re"uirements in their applica le standards are similar to those of *+,A. !he I+. standard has provided a more detailed description of motor protection and how to conduct tests to determine the enclosure designation. !hese classifications of degrees of protection have een included in the 0112 version of ,/-&. %lassification of /egrees of -rotection -rovided 0+ Enclosures 1$- /esignations2 !he I+. designation for degrees of protection consist of the letters 4I4 and 434 followed y two numerals. !he first represents the enclosure5s level of protection against incidental contact with internal components. !he second defines the amount of water ingress that the enclosure must protect. !his may e followed y a letter indicating whether the protection was tested dynamic (S) or static (,). *o letter indicates the motor will e operational under normal conditions to the degree of protection designated.

!a les 2 and 6 define the I3 designation system. (or e%ample, a motor with a $egree of 3rotection of I3&2 would not allow accidental contact with moving parts e%ceeding &.789-in. (:1-mm) and would not e adversely affected y a spray of water up to 81-deg from vertical. I3 designations with first numerals 6 or higher are typically used when descri ing totally enclosed machines.

!a le 6. Summary of I+. .ode for ,ethods of .ooling.

/uards must also protect e%ternal fans to the degree of the motor enclosure and are tested in a similar manner. (or motors with an I32% or I36% enclosure that will e operated with open drain holes, the drain hole may comply with the I30% protection re"uirements. (or motors with an I3:% enclosure that will e operated with open drain holes, the drain hole may comply with the I36% protection re"uirements. Methods of %ooling 1$% /esignations2

+lectric motors must dissipate the heat generated within their windings in order to operate. If a unit fails to ade"uately cool itself, it can overheat and cause damage to itself and the driven e"uipment. !o guard against this damage, thermal protection devices are availa le that will trigger the safe shutdown of a motor if the temperature e%ceeds a predetermined ma%imum.
!a le :. .omparison of *+,A and I+. 3rotection $esignations.

!here are varieties of cooling methods used in motor design. 'hen the cooling air is drawn from the surrounding environment, circulated around the internal components, and e%pelled ack into the surroundings, the cooling method is called an open circuit. !his type of cooling is only possi le in open enclosure motors. Closed circuit cooling involves internal coolant in a closed loop that passes heat to another coolant either through the surface of the machine or a heat e%changer. !his type of cooling is y definition associated with totally enclosed machines since the primary coolant remains contained within the motor.

,ost motors use shaft mounted fans to circulate air as the primary coolant. ;ne draw ack of this approach is that the velocity at which the cooling air is circulated decreases if the speed of the motor decreases. !his is one limitation of utili)ing an ad#usta le speed drive with a standard motor not specifically designed for use with these drives. In some applications, a constant velocity of air is necessary. In these cases, separately powered fans are often employed to deliver a regular velocity of air regardless of the motor5s rotational speed.

!a le 8. .omparison of I+. and *+,A .ooling $esignations.

Although air is the most common fluid used as primary and<or secondary coolant in electric motor design, units can e uilt using other cooling media such as refrigerant, hydrogen, nitrogen, car on dio%ide, water, and oil. Although the I+. classifications are included in the *+,A ,/-& standard, industry is accustomed to the descriptive definitions for protection and cooling, not the more defined degrees of classification provided y I+.. !a les : and 8 provide a comparative guideline for protection and cooling etween the two standards. 'ithin the I+., a short and complete code e%ists for designating the cooling method. It is typically preferred to use the short code for the cooling designation, and the complete code is intended for use when the short code is not applica le for the e"uipment or application. Enclosures for 3a4ardous Applications Some motors are designed and approved to meet Underwriters =a oratories or .anadian Standards Association (.SA) standards for use in the ha)ardous (e%plosive) locations, shown y a designating la el on the motor. !he motor purchaser or user must specify the e%plosion proof motor classification re"uired prior to purchase. !here are two divisions. Division 1 is a location in which ha)ardous materials are present in the atmosphere under normal operating conditions. Division 2 is a location in which the atmosphere may ecome ha)ardous as the result of some

a normal condition. !he locations are considered ha)ardous ecause the atmosphere contains or may contain gas, vapor, or dust in "uantities that may cause an e%plosion. ;nce the location is defined as ha)ardous, the location is further defined y the class and group of the ha)ard. !he *ational +lectrical .ode (*+.) divides these locations into classes and groups according to the type of ha)ardous agent. !he following list has some of the agents in each classification. See Article :11 of the *ational +lectrical .ode for a complete list. .lass I (/ases, >apors) /roup A? Acetylene /roup @? @utadiene, ethylene o%ide, hydrogen, propylene o%ide /roup .? Acetaldehyde, cyclopropane, diethlether, ethylene, isoprene /roup $? Acetone, acrylonitrile, ammonia, en)ene, utane, ethylene dichloride, gasoline, he%ane, methane, methanol, naphtha, propane, propylene, styrene, toluene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, %ylene

.lass II (.om usti le $usts) /roup +? Aluminum, magnesium and other metal dusts with similar characteristics /roup (? .ar on lack, coke or coal dust /roup /? (lour, starch or grain dust

A new +uropean directive, called the A!+A (A!mospheres +Aplosi les) directive, ecame effective Buly 0112. !he directive, (76<7<+.), deals with electrical, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic e"uipment in areas e%posed to e%plosive atmosphere and is only valid in the +U area. (or a common and increased awareness of safety in these risk areas, manufacturers of this type of e"uipment have to comply with the asic safety re"uirements stated in the new directive. !he safety re"uirements in the A!+A directive imply that pumps and motors have to carry a clear indication of the e"uipment group and category in which they elong and in what areas they can e used. !he A!+A directive affects a wide range of industries, dealing with the handling of com usti le dust - such as cereals, animal feed, paper and wood - and industries that generate e%plosive gases, such as chemicals, plastics and petroleum. 5ther $ndustr+ Enclosure /esignations !he applications in which motors are applied may re"uire more physical design features than the *+,A standards provide. !he motor industry has provided other advanced enclosure and motor descriptions that meet the needs of the market. Some of these are descri ed in general elow. ,ost motor manufacturers have randed descriptions of these general descriptions.

Corrosion duty Industries with aggressive environments, such as high humidity or corrosiveC additional enclosure features are re"uired for e%tended protection. !hese motors are typically !+(. and have a degree of protection of I3:6 via the use of a rotating shaft slinger. A higher degree of protection via the use of earing isolator(s) is also availa le. Dotating slingers are provided to minimi)e entrance of moisture and contaminants into the earing cham er. .ondensation drain holes are provided at the low points in the end rackets and are supplied with corrosion resistant reather drain plugs. All fastening hardware is grade :, )inc or cadmium plated. ,otor cast iron components are typically o%ide primed and painted with vinyl-phenolic paint or other chemical resistant paint. !his coating is chemical solvent, salt water and acid resistant. ,otor nameplate is stainless steel. Automotive duty !he ma#or motor manufacturers have developed e%panded motor specifications that meet the re"uirements of the manufacturing environment. !he frame si)e (4U4 frame) is a previously used *+,A designation indicating frame si)e and dimension (prior to &78: the standard frame si)es per horsepower rating). (ord Spec +,&-&778 - !+(. motors, which meets I+++ 96& frame, conduit o%, paint and nameplate re"uirements. /, Spec E+-&7E1 - !+(. motors, cast iron frame and end rackets, steel or iron t- o% with lead separator and gasket, shaft slinger.

Marine duty (or use on ships, a standard e%ists (I+++-6:) for motor drivers. A ove $eck (waterproof)? A motor with corrosion duty construction with a shaft slinger on the opposite pulley end. (rame surface under conduit o% ase must e flat to ensure full gasket fit and prevent water entry. @elow $eck? .orrosion treatment - consisting of anti-rust compounds on metal to metal fits, plated hardware, epo%y painted aluminum parts and air deflectors, stainless steel nameplate, resin and hardener or e"uivalent on rotor.

IEEE-841 standard - 1994 !hese motors are a cast iron, heavy duty, industrial design motor, intended for the chemical and petroleum industries. ;ther industries, such as mining, food processing, pulp and paper, marine and automotive industries also consider this construction ecause of the heavy-duty, relia le, energy efficient design. !he motors are !+(. and have a degree of protection of I3:: on &62 to :9&& frames. ,otor earings have a degree of protection of I3:: via the use of a non-contact earing isolator for

motors with a 206 frame or larger. .orrosion resistant hardware is also used. AS!, @&&E-71, !est ,ethod of Salt Spray ((og) !esting, is completed to confirm protection. !he enclosure is allcast iron construction with epo%y paint. It must also e noted that the efficiency of this design e%ceeds +nergy 3olicy Act of &770 (+3Act) re"uirements ut is elow the *+,A 3remium levels. 6ood and 0everage dut+ $epending upon the specific food or everage industry, specific enclosures and motor designs may e re"uired ecause of food contamination concerns or cleaning procedures. U.S.$.A. Specifications - !he re"uirements for motors involves the paints, primers and sealantsC must e U.S.$.A. approved. 'ash down duty - @ecause of the cleaning procedures re"uired in most food and everage plants, all e"uipment could e washed down with high pressure, cleaning water. ,otors with enclosure features eyond !+(. are typically re"uired. o @asic features - !+(. motor with US$A-approved, white epo%y paint. o ,edium features - Stainless steel frameC specially processed end ells. o Advanced features - All e%terior surfaces stainless steel, including shaft, with I+++-96& severe-duty featuresC o-ring end ell seals. (,ay also e descri ed as 4dirty duty.4)

Aggregate industry/quarry duty motors ,otors used in the aggregate or "uarry industry are in a very dirty, a rasive environment. !he motors are typically all-cast iron construction with larger frames with roller earings. Cooling tower motors ,otors in an environment near a cooling tower can see much moisture, in the form of a spray or mist. !hese motors are all-cast iron construction, salt-spray tested, with corrosion resistant nameplate and hardware, and slinger seals. A*SI<A3I 88& Air-.ooled Heat +%changers for /eneral Definery Services provides some motor design re"uirements for this difficult service. American Petroleum Institute !he American 3etroleum Institute (A3I) has developed two standards for induction motors for use in general-purpose petroleum, chemical and other industrial severe duty applications? 1, A-$ ('1 6orm Wound .7uirrel %age $nduction Motors !his standard provides minimum re"uirements for large, all form-wound s"uirrel cage induction motors, :11-hp and larger. !ypically this standard is used in refinery services where? !he service is critical. !he motor is larger than 2111-hp (00:1-k') for speeds &911-rpm and elow.

!he motor is rated 911-hp (811-k') or greater for two-pole (2111-gpm or 2811-rpm) machines of totally-enclosed construction, or rated &0:1-hp (721-k') or greater for twopole machines of open or guarded construction (including machines with '3-I or '3-II type enclosures). !he motor drives a high-inertia load (in e%cess of the load 'k0 listed in *+,A ,/-& 3art 01). !he motor uses an ad#usta le speed drive as a source of power. !he machine is an induction generator. !he motor is a vertical machine rated :11-hp (2E:-k') or greater. !he machine operates in a normally hostile environments.

!, A-$ ('8 General purpose 6orm wound .7uirrel %age $nduction Motors, !(" hp and larger !his standard provides minimum re"uirements for form-wound s"uirrel cage induction motors that are used in general-purpose petroleum, chemical and other industrial severe duty applications. (or motors larger than that descri ed and motors in other applications, they should e specified in accordance with A3I Standard :6&. It is recommended that A3I Standard :6E is applied to motors that have the following characteristics? Dated 0:1-hp (&9:-k') through 2111-hp (00:1-k') for 6, 8 and 9 pole speeds. Dated less than 911-hp (811-k') for two-pole (2111-rpm or 2811-rpm) motors of totallyenclosed construction. Dated less than &0:1-hp (721-k') for two-pole motors of '3-II type enclosures. $rive centrifugal loads. $rive loads having inertia values within those listed in *+,A ,/ & 3art 01. Are not induction generators.

5ther $ssues ,otor noise coming from motors is caused y a num er of varia les, including the type of enclosure and cooling, motor power si)e, speed, and load conditions. (or totally enclosed motors utili)ing fans for cooling, the air tur ulence produced y the cooling fan can create the greatest amount of noise, especially at 0-pole speeds. As larger motors may re"uire higher cooling, larger cooling fans are re"uired, developing greater air flow and more noise. As motor speeds are decreased, less air tur ulence is created, which can reduce the noise developed. ;ther e%ternal methods of noise reductions can e used. +%ternal enclosures with noise insulating material are used to reduce the noise. Although these can e effective in noise reduction, they can impact the effectiveness of the enclosure (especially with cooling) or make the enclosure su stantially larger.

;ther e%ternal factors can increase the noise that the motor produces? ;n undamped aseplate mountings, motor noise can e transmitted, amplified, and radiated y non-motor structures. A motor suspension system or cushioned mounting can e added to the installation to reduce noise and vi ration. !he physical design of internal motor components, such as the rotor and laminations, can also affect the amount of noise and vi ration produced y the motor. !he motor manufacturer is responsi le for their design and to minimi)e the noise that may e designed in their product. ,otor noise will also e affected y the carrier fre"uency when controlled y a varia le fre"uency drive. Isolated gate ipolar transistors, designated as I/@!s, can minimi)e motor noise with varia le fre"uency drives due to their fast switching speed and higher pulse or carrier fre"uency.

9eferences American 3etroleum Institute, 'ashington, $..., http?<<www.api.org Boe Hillhouse, Deliance +lectric ,otors, 4HI $rivers Spec.doc4 =eeson +lectric, 4@asic !raining - Industrial-$uty F .ommercial-$uty4, &777, /rafton, 'isconsin *ational +lectrical ,anufacturers Association, 4*+,A Standards 3u lication ,/ &-0112 - ,otors and /enerators4, Dosslyn, >irginia Andy +aston, .omparison of I+. and *+,A < I+++ ,otor Standards, Hydraulic Institute 011& Annual ,eeting, =as 3almas Desort, 3alm Springs, .A

HI is the largest association of pump manufacturers in North America. Hydraulic Institute, Inc., 9 ylvan !ay, "arsippany, N# $%$&', 9%()2*%)9%$$, +++.pumps.org.