ELECTRICAL REFERENCE LEESON ELECTRIC MOTORS

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ELECTRICAL REFERENCE

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Merlin
General
Information
Mechanical
Electrical
Rating
Parameters
Thermal
Protection
Circuit Wiring
Speed Electric
Drives
Metric IEC

RATING PARAMETERS
VOLTAGE
Common 60hz voltages for single-phase motors are 115 volt, 230 volt, and
115/230 volt.
Common 60hz voltages for three-phase motors are 230 volt, 460 volt and
230/460 volt. Two hundred volt and 575 volt motors are sometimes
encountered. In prior NEMA standards these voltages were listed as 208 or
220/440 or 550 volts. Motors with these voltages on the nameplate can safely
be replaced by motors having the current standard marking of 200 or
208-230/460 or 575 volts, respectively.
Motors rated 115/208-230 volt and 208-230/460 volt, in most cases will
operate satisfactorily at 208 volts, but the torque will be 20% - 25% lower.
Operating below 208 volts may require a 208 volt (or 200 volt) motor or the
use of the next higher horsepower, standard voltage motor.

Maintenance

CURRENT(Amps)

Conversion
Formula

In comparing motor types, the full load amps and/or service factor amps are
key parameters for determining the proper loading on the motor. For example,
never replace a PSC type motor with shaded pole type as the latter's will not
normally be 50% - 60% higher. Compare PSC with PSC, capacitor start, and
so forth.

Warranty
Reference

HERTZ FREQUENCY
In North America 60 hz (cycles) is the common power source. However most
of the rest of the world is supplied with 50 hz power.
HORSEPOWER
Exactly 746 watts of electrical power will produce 1 HP if a motor could
operate at 100% efficiency, but of course no motor is 100% efficient. A 1 HP
motor operating at 84% efficiency will have a total watt consumption of 888
watts. This amounts to 746 watts of usable power and 142 watts loss due to
heat, friction, etc. (888 x .84 = 746 = 1 HP).
Horsepower can also be calculated if torque is known, using one of these
formulas:

HP =

1 of 8

Torque (lb/ft) x RPM

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HP =

HP =

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Torque (oz/ft) x RPM

84,000
Torque (in/ft) x RPM
63,000

TORQUE
The turning effort or force applied to a shaft, usually expressed in inch-pounds
or inch-ounces for fractional or sub-fractional HP motors.
Starting Torque: Force produced by a motor as it begins to turn from
standstill and accelerate (sometimes called locked rotor torque).
Full Load Torque: The force produced by a motor running at rated full-load
speed at rated horsepower.
Breakdown Torque: The maximum torque a motor will develop under
increasing load conditions without an abrupt drop in speed and power
(sometimes called pull-out torque).
Pull-Up Torque: The minimum torque delivered by a motor between zero and
the rated RPM, equal to the maximum load a motor can accelerate to rated
RPM.
NEMA LOCKED ROTOR: For three phase motors, 60Hz & 50Hz at rated
voltage. (Design B torques in black; Design C torques in blue)

HP

LOCKED ROTOR TORQUE

% of Full Load
3600 RPM 1800 RPM 1200 RPM
900 RPM

1/2

140

3/4

175

1
1 1/2
2
3
5
7 1/2
10
15
20
25
30

2 of 8

175
170
160
150
140
135
130
130
130
130

135

275

285

170

255

135

225

250
235
215
185
175
165
160
150
150
150

285
285
270
255
250
250
225
200
200
200

165
160
155
150
150
150
140
135
135
135

250
250
250
250
225
225
210
200
200
200

130
130
130
130
125
125
125
125
125
125

225
225
225
225
200
200
200
200
200
200

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40
50
60
75
100
125
150
200

125
120
120
105
105
100
100
100

140
140
140
140
125
110
110
100

200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

250

70

80

300

70

80

100

350

70

80

100

400

70

80

450

70

80

500

70

80

130
135
135
135
125
125
120
120

200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

100

125
125
125
125
125
120
120
120

200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

100

200

BREAKDOWN: For three phase motors, 60Hz & 50Hz at rated voltage.

HP
3600 RPM

BREAKDOWN TORQUE
% of Full Load
1800 RPM 1200 RPM

1/2

225

3/4

275

3 of 8

900 RPM
220

300

200

265

225

215

200

225
225
225
200
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190

210
210
205
205
125
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

200
200
200
200
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190

1 1/2
2
3
5
7 1/2
10
15
20
25
30
40
50
60
75
100
125
150

250
240
230
215
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

280
270
250
225
215
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

200
200
200
200
200
200
200
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190

250
240
230
215
205
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200

200

200

200

190

175

250

175

175

175

300

175

175

175

175

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350

175

175

400

175

175

450

175

175

500

175

175

SPEEDS
The approximate RPM at rated load for small and medium motors operating at
60 hz and 50 hz at rated volts are as follows:
60hz

50hz

Synch. Speed

2 Pole

3450

2850

3600

4 Pole
6 Pole
8 Pole

1725
1140
850

1425
950
700

1800
1200
900

Synchronous speed (no-load) can be determined by this formula:

Frequency (hertz) x 120 / Number of Poles
INSULATION CLASS
Insulation systems are rated by standard NEMA classifications according to
maximum allowable operating temperatures. They are as follows:
Class

Maximum Allowed

Temperature (*)

105C

221F

B
F
H

130C
155C
180oC

266F
311F
356oF

Generally, replace a motor with one having an equal or higher insulation class.
Replacement with one of lower temperature rating could result in premature
failure of the motor. Each 10C rise above these ratings can reduce the
motor's service life by one half.
SERVICE FACTOR
The service factor (SF) is a measure of continuous overload capacity at which
a motor can operate without overload or damage, provided the other design
parameters such as rated voltage, frequency and ambient temperature are
within norms. Example: a 3/4 HP motor with a 1.15 SF can operate at .86 HP,
(.75 HP x 1.15 = 862 HP) without overheating or otherwise damaging the
motor if rated voltage and frequency are supplied at the motor's leads. Some
motors, including most LEESON motors, have higher service factors than the
NEMA standard.
It is not uncommon for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to load the
motor to its maximum load capability (service factor). For this reason, do not
replace a motor with one of the same nameplate horsepower but with a lower

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service factor. Always make certain that the replacement motor has a
maximum HP rating (rated HP x SF) equal to or higher than that which it
replaces. Multiply the horsepower by the service factor for determining
maximum potential loading.
For easy reference, standard NEMA service factors for various horsepower
motors and motor speeds are shown in this table.
NEMA Service Factor at Synchronous Speed (RPM) FOR DRIP PROOF
MOTORS
HP

3600

1800

1200

900

1/6,1/4,1/3

1.35

1.35

1.35

1.35

1/6
3/4
1
1 1/2 up

1.25
1.25
1.25
1.115

1.25
1.25
1.15
1.15

1.25
1.15
1.15
1.15

1.25
1.15
1.15
1.15

The NEMA standard service factor for totally enclosed motors is 1.0. However,
many manufacturers build TEFC motors with 1.15 service factors.
CAPACITORS
Capacitors are used on single-phase induction motors except shaded-pole,
split-phase and polyphase. Start capacitors are designed to stay in circuit a
very short time (3-5 seconds), while run capacitance are permanently in
circuit. Capacitors are rated by capacitance and voltage. Never use a
capacitor with lower capacitance or voltage ratings for replacement. A higher
voltage is acceptable.
EFFICIENCY
A motor's efficiency is a measurement of useful work produced by the motor
versus the energy that it consumes (heat and friction). An 84% efficient motor
with a total watt draw of 400W produces 336 watts of useful energy (400 x .84
= .336W). The 64 watts lost (400 - 336 = 64W) becomes heat.
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THERMAL PROTECTION

THERMAL PROTECTION (overload)

A thermal protector, automatic or manual, mounted in the end frame or on a
winding, is designed to prevent a motor from getting too hot, causing possible
fire or damage to the motor. Protectors are generally current and temperature
sensitive. Some motors have no inherent protector, but they should have
protection provided in the overall system's design for safety. Never bypass a
protector because of nuisance tripping. This is generally an indication of some
other problem, such as overloading or lack of proper ventilation. Never replace
nor choose an automatic-reset thermal overload protected motor for an

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application where the driven load could cause personal injury if the motor
should restart unexpectedly. Only manual-reset thermal overloads should be
used in such applications.
Basic types of overload protectors include:
Automatic Reset : After the motor cools, this line-interrupting protector
automatically restores power. It should not be used where unexpected
restarting would be hazardous.
Manual Reset : This line-interrupting protector has an external button that
must be pushed to restore power to the motor. Use where unexpected
restarting would be hazardous, as on saws, conveyors, compressors and
other machinery.
Resistance Temperature Detectors : Precision-calibrated resistors are
mounted in the motor and are used in conjunction with an instrument supplied
by the customer to detect high temperatures.
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CIRCUIT WIRING
All wiring and electrical connections should comply with the National Electrical
Code (NEC) and with local codes and practices. Undersized wire between the
motor and the power source will limit the starting and load carrying abilities of
the motor. The recommended copper wire and transformer size are shown in
Chart 1 and Chart 2.
CHART1 - SINGLE PHASE MOTORS ( 230 VOLTS )
Transformer
HP
kVA

Distance - Motor to Transformer (Feet)

100
150
200
300
500

1.5

10

2
3
5
7.5

3
5
7.5
10

10
8
6
6

8
8
4
4

8
8
4
3

8
4
2
1

4
2
0
0

WIRE GAGE
CHART2 - THREE PHASE MOTORS ( 230 & 460 VOLTS )
Transformer

6 of 8

Distance - Motor to Transformer

(Feet)
100 150 200 300 500

HP

Volts

kVA

1.5

230

12

12

12

12

10

460

12

12

12

12

12

3
2

230
460

3
3

12
12

12
12

12
12

10
12

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3
3
5
5
7.5
7.5
10
10
15
15
20
20
25
30
30
40
50
50
30
60
75
75

230
460
230
460
230
460
230
460
230
460
230
460
230
230
460
230
230
460
230
460
230
460

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5
5
7.5
7.5
10
10
15
15
20
20
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

12
12
10
12
8
12
6
12
4
12
4
10
2
2
8
1
1
4
1
4
0
4

* - Consult Local Power

Company

10
12
8
12
6
12
4
12
4
10
2
8
2
1
6
0
0
4
0
2
0
2

10
12
8
12
6
12
4
12
4
10
2
8
2
1
6
0
0
2
0
2
0
2

8
12
6
10
4
10
4
10
2
8
1
6
0
0
4
0
0
2
0
0
0
0

6
10
4
8
2
8
1
8
0
6
0
4
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

GAGE of WIRE
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SPEED ELECTRIC DRIVES

Reliable, easy-to-use units are available today for controlling the speed of AC
and DC industrial motors. Both types use solid state devices for power control.
DC drives are the more straightforward, commonly using silicon controlled
rectifiers (SCR's) to convert AC line voltage to controlled DC voltage, which is
then applied to the armature of a direct current motor. The more voltage
applied to the armature, the faster it will turn. DC drives of this type represent
an excellent value for motors up to approximately 3 HP, allowing 60:1 speed
regulation and full torque even at reduced speeds. The most common type of
AC drive today begins much the same way as a DC drive does - by rectifying
"pulsing" AC line voltage to pulse-free DC voltage. However, instead of
outputting the DC voltage, the AC drive must re-introduce pulses into the
output in order to meet the needs of an AC motor.
This is done using solid-state switches, such as insulated gate bipolar
transistors (IGBT's) or gate turn off SCR's (GTO's). The result is a control
technique known as pulse width modulation (PWM), perhaps the most highly
regarded type of AC drive for many industrial applications. Motor speed varies
with the frequency of the pulses introduced into the output voltage.

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Pulse width modulated AC drives offer an extremely wide speed range, a host
of control functions including programmable acceleration and deceleration
ramps and several preset speeds, excellent energy efficiency and, in many
cases, speed and torque precision equal to or closely approaching that of a
DC system. Perhaps the major reason for their growing popularity, however, is
their ability to work with the wide range of AC induction motors available for
industry, usually at a price competitive with that of a DC drive package.
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