4/19/2017 7MostCommonMotorEnclosureTypesDefinedByNEMAStandards|EEP

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7MostCommonMotorEnclosureTypesDefined
ByNEMAStandards
7 Most Common Motor Enclosure Types Defined By NEMA Standards (on photo: Louis Allis Pacemaker
Premium NEMA motor louisallis.com)

Importantroleofenclosure
The enclosure of the motor must protect the windings, bearings, and other mechanical parts from moisture,
chemicals, mechanical damage and abrasion from grit.
NEMA standards MG1-1.25 through 1.27 define more than 20 types of enclosures under the categories of open
machines, totally enclosed machines, and machines with encapsulated or sealed windings.

The 7 most common types of enclosures are:

1.OpenDripProof(ODP)

Premium Efficient Super-E motor

with Open Drip Proof (ODP)
construction by BALDOR

Allows air to circulate through the windings for cooling, but prevent drops of liquid from falling into motor within
a 15 degree angle from vertical. Typically used for indoor applications in relatively clean, dry locations .

2.TotallyEnclosedFanCooled(TEFC)

Weg NEMA Premium Efficiency

Three Phase TEFC Motors

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Prevents the free exchange of air between the inside and outside of
the frame, but does not make the frame completely air tight. A fan
is attached to the shaft and pushes air over the frame during its
operation to help in the cooling process.

The ribbed frame is designed to increase the surface area for cooling
purposes.

The TEFC style enclosure is the most versatile of all. It is used on

pumps, fans, compressors, general industrial belt drive and direct
connected equipment.

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Total Enclosed Fan Cooled vs Open Drip Proof (TEFC

vs ODP)

(Total Enclosed Fan Cooled vs Open Drip Proof (TEFC vs ODP

Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.

3.TotallyEnclosedNonVentilated(TENV)

DAYTON DC Motor, PM, TENV,

1/3 HP, 1800 rpm, 24VDC

Similar to a TEFC, but has no cooling fan and relies on convention for cooling. No vent openings, tightly enclosed
to prevent the free exchange of air, but not airtight.

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These are suitable for uses which are exposed to dirt or dampness,
but not very moist or hazardous (explosive) locations.

4.TotallyEnclosedAirOver(TEAO)

US Motors Refrigeration Duty TEAO

Motor, 1/2 HP, 3-Phase, 1140 RPM
Motor

Dust-tight fan and blower duty motors designed for shaft mounted fans or belt driven fans. The motor must be
mounted within the airflow of the fan.

5.TotallyEnclosedWashdown(TEWD)

Baldors Washdown Duty Motor for

food processing, packaging,
pharmaceuticals, or applications
where motors are regularly exposed
to high pressure wash down.

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Designed to withstand high pressure wash-downs or other high humidity

or wet environments. Available on TEAO, TEFC and
ENV enclosures totally enclosed, hostile and severe environment
motors:

Designed for use in extremelymoist or chemical environments, but not for

hazardous locations.

6.Explosionproofenclosures(EXPL)

SIEMENSs explosion proof motor for

hazardous environments, such as in
chemical plants, the oil industry, in gas
works, in wood and plastic processing
industry or in agriculture.

The explosion proof motor is a totally enclosedmachine and is designed to withstand an explosion of specified gas or
vapor inside the motor casing and prevent the ignition outside the motor by sparks, flashing or explosion.
These motors are designed for specific hazardous purposes , such as atmospheres containing gases or hazardous dusts.
For safe operation, the maximum motor operating temperature must be below the ignition temperature of
surrounding gases or vapors.

Explosion proof motors are designed, manufactured and tested under the rigid requirements of the Underwriters
Laboratories.

7.HazardousLocation(HAZ)

Motor 3-Phase, 5 HP to Power Fans, Blowers, Pumps

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or Air Compressors in Areas That Meet the National

Electrical Code for Hazardous Locations

Hazardous location motor applications are classified by the type of hazardous environment present, the
characteristics of the specific material creating the hazard, the probability of exposure to the environment, and the
maximum temperature level that is considered safe for the substance creating the hazard.

The format used to define this information is a class, group, division and temperature code structure as defined by
the National Electric Code (NFPA-70) .

The following hazardouslocations are defined:

1) CLASS I

Group A: Acetylene
Group B: Butadiene, ethylene oxide, hydrogen, propylene oxide, manufactured gases containing more than
30ydrogen by volume.
Group C: Acetaldehyde, cyclopropane, diethyl ether, ethylene.
Group D: Acetone, acrylonitrile, ammonia, benzene, butane, ethanol, ethylene dichloride, gasoline, hexane,
isoprene, methane (natural gas), methanol, naphtha, propane, propylene, styrene, toluene, vinyl acetate, vinyl
chloride, xylene.

2) CLASS II

Group E: Aluminum, magnesium, and other metal dusts withsimilar characteristics.

Group F: Carbon black, coke or coaldust.
Group G: Flour, starch orgrain dust.

3) CLASS III
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Easily ignitable fibers,such asrayon, cotton, sisal, hemp, cocoa fiber, oakum, excelsior and other materials of
similar nature.

The NEMA enclosure description is similar to the IEC Index of Protection (IP) code. The NEMA designations are more
descriptive and general, whereas the IEC IP codes are more precise and narrowly defined by a 2-digit code, with
the first digit defining how well protected the motor is from solid objects and the second digit describing how well
protected the motor is from moisture.

For example, a NEMA OpenDrip Proof (ODP) motor corresponds to an IP22 and a NEMA Totally Enclosed
motor corresponds to an IP54, a NEMA WeatherProof motor to an IP45, and a NEMA Wash-Down motor toan
IP55.
Reference: Understanding Motor Nameplate Information: NEMA vs. IEC Standards Continuing Education and Development,
Inc.

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AboutAuthor//
Edvard Csanyi

Edvard - Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for
design of LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, buildings and
industry fascilities. Designing of LV/MV switchgears.Professional in AutoCAD
programming and web-design.Present on Google+

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