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How To Read A Motor Nameplate

The document discusses how to read a motor nameplate, which provides important information about a motor's construction and performance characteristics. A motor nameplate contains details like the number of phases, rated voltage, service duty, efficiency rating, frame size, insulation class, temperature ratings, and other specifications. Understanding what each section of the nameplate indicates helps identify motor types and faults, ensures proper motor usage, and allows for more accurate repair and maintenance.

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136 views

How To Read A Motor Nameplate

The document discusses how to read a motor nameplate, which provides important information about a motor's construction and performance characteristics. A motor nameplate contains details like the number of phases, rated voltage, service duty, efficiency rating, frame size, insulation class, temperature ratings, and other specifications. Understanding what each section of the nameplate indicates helps identify motor types and faults, ensures proper motor usage, and allows for more accurate repair and maintenance.

Uploaded by

archie zambrano
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How To Read a Motor Nameplate

Found on all types of electric motor, the motor nameplate provides information about the motor’s
construction and performance characteristics.
Whilst motor standards are established on a country by country basis, most motors fall under the two
main industry bodies: the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and the National Electric
Manufacturers Association (NEMA) and their nameplates adhere to the standards set out by the body.
Understanding how to read the nameplate of a motor can help identify faults more accurately, ensure that
the right motor is being used for the job and can result in a more efficient service from a motor repair
company if there is a fault.

What Information Can Be Found On a Nameplate?


A nameplate contains a large amount of useful information relating to the motor including the type, RPM.
frame size and power of the motor.
In this example, we use the nameplate of a W22 Premium three phase electric induction motor
manufactured by WEG.
Whilst the exact layout and format of the motor nameplate will be dependent on the manufacturer and
what standards are being adhered to (IEC or NEMA), once you understand one motor it’s much easier to
understand another.
Number of Phases
This shows the type of power supply for which the motor is designed. There are single phase and three
phase motors. In this example, the number is ‘3’ as the motor is a three phase motor.

Rated Operating Voltage (Volts)


This shows at which voltage is the motor is designed to operate most efficiently. Motors are designed to
operate at +/-10% tolerance of this value.
Other parameters shown on the nameplate including: power factor, efficiency, torque and current are at
rated voltage and frequency. Using the motor at voltage outside this tolerance will most probably lead to
different performance.
Service Duty
In this case, S1 shows that this is a continuous duty motor that works at a constant load for enough time to
reach temperature equilibrium.
The parameter Duty/Time rating represents the period of time during which the motor can run at its
nameplate rating/rated load safely and indicates whether the motor is rated for continuous duty.
This is shown as “CONT” for continuous duty 24/7 but they can also have a short-time rating from 5 to
60 minutes, most motors are rated for continuous duty.
The rating of the motor is the ambient temperature vs. the time it can operate at that temperature, the EIC
break this down into ten ratings.

Efficiency Code
This shows the percentage of the input power that is actually converted to work output from the motor
shaft.
The motor will have a “nominal” efficiency shown on the plate, this is the average efficiency. The closer
this value is to 100%, the lower the electricity consumption cost is going to be.
The four levels of motor efficiency are

 IE1 – Standard Efficiency

 IE 2 – High Efficiency

 IE 3 – Premium Efficiency

 IE 4 – Super Premium Efficiency


In our example, we are shown an IE Code of IE3 which indicating premium efficiency.
Frame Size
This shows the frame size. The frame size determines the mounting dimensions such as the foot openings
pattern and the shaft height.
The dimension of the electric motor based on the NEMA system for fractional hp motors (micro motors)
have two digits and represent the shaft height from the base’s bottom in sixteenths of one inch.
For large motors the frame size has three digits, the first two digits stand for the shaft height in one
quarter of an inch. The third digit is the bolt mounting holes dimension, the longer the motor body, the
longer the distance between mounting bolt holes in the base. Finally, the letter is the type of frame.
The same concept applies for IEC type motors (metric motors) but the height is measured in millimeters
instead of inches.

Degree of Protection
The IEC uses a two-digit ingress protection (IP) rating to measure how well the motor is protected from
the environment. NEMA uses an enclosure description that is of a similar standard.
In the example below an IP of 55 tells us that the motor is ‘protected against dust’ and ‘protected against
jets of water from all directions.

Insulation Class
The highest temperature in the motor’s hottest spot has a serious impact on the life of the electric motor.
The temperature that occurs at that spot is a combination of motor design temperature and the ambient
temperature. The insulation class shows the motor’s ability to withstand temperatures over time.
The motors have different insulation capabilities. The insulation codes show their thermal tolerance or
ability to survive at a specified temperature for a period of time. The higher the designated code letter, the
greater the heat capability.
It is based on the highest temperature the material can withstand continuously without degrading or
reducing motor life. IES specify 5 different types of insulation classes:

 Class A – 105c

 Class E -120c

 Class B – 130c

 Class F – 155c

 Class H – 180c
In the example, we can see that the motor has an insulation class of F, indicating that the motor’s thermal
tolerance is 155c.

Temperature Rise
Each class of insulation has a maximum motor winding temperature rise and a maximum temperature
rating. In addition, a hot spot temperature rise is specified which pertains to motor windings that are
surrounded by other windings.

Frequency (Hz)
This shows the input electricity frequency that the motor is designed to operate at.
Usually for motors, the input frequency is 50 or 60 Hz. If more than one frequency is marked on the
nameplate (like our example), then other parameters that will differ at different input frequencies have to
be indicated on the nameplate as well.

Motor Rated Power


kW is an expression of the motor’s mechanical output rating – its ability to deliver the torque needed for
the load at rated speed.
Full Load Speed (RPM)
Full-load speed is the speed at which rated full-load torque is delivered at rated power output, this speed
is sometimes called slip-speed or actual rotor speed.
In the example nameplate, this is declared as min-1, but generally it is declared in RPM; both these

measurements are the same.

Rated Operating Current


This corresponds to the rated power output together with voltage and frequency. The current may deviate
from the nameplate amperes if the phases are unbalanced or if the voltage turns out to be lower than
indicated.
Power Factor
Power factor is indicated on the nameplate as either “PF” or “P .F” or cos φ . Power factor is an
expression of the ratio of active power (W) to apparent power (VA) expressed as a percentage.

Ambient Temperature
The maximum ambient temperature (AMB) lists the temperature at which the motor can operate and still
be within the tolerance of the insulation class at the maximum temperature rise.
In this example, the ambient temperature of the motor is 40c.

Service Factor
This Indicates the amount of overload a motor can handle. Electrical motors are often designed to handle
a temporary increase in demand, the ability of the motor to handle these demands are represented by the
service factor.
For example, a motor with 1.0 service factor cannot be expected to handle more than its nameplate kW. A
motor with service factor 1.15 can be expected to safely handle infrequent loads to 15% past it’s rated
kW.
In general, it is bad practice to size motors to operate continuously above rated load in the service factor
area. Operating a motor at overloads allowed by the service factor for extended periods can result in
reduced speed, overheating, decreased efficiency, decreased power factor all of which affects the overall
life span of the motor.

Altitude
This indication shows the maximum height above sea level at which the motor will remain within its
design temperature rise, meeting all other nameplate data.
Below this altitude, the motor may run cooler. Above this temperature, the motor may run hotter.
Motor Weight
This shows the weight of the motor – 78kg in our example.

Serial Number
This shows the serial number of the motor. As it is unique to the motor, knowing this number can help
when liaising with manufacturers or M&E companies about the type of motor you have.
Motor Nameplate FAQs

What Is On a Motor Nameplate?


A motor nameplate is a panel which is affixed to electric motors. The nameplate contains information
about the construction characteristics and performance of the motor. The types of information that are
shown include the number of phases, rated operating voltage, service duty, efficiency code, frame size, IP
rating, insulation class and more.

How Do You Read a Nameplate on an Electric Motor?


As a lot of information is condensed into a small amount of space, motor nameplates can be difficult to
understand without the right expertise. In most cases, each piece of information will be preceded by a
number, letter or symbol which indicates the meaning of the field. The layout of a motor nameplate may
change based on the manufacturer but generally, the same information is given. Therefore, once you can
understand one motor nameplate, it’s much easier to understand others.
Read through our blog post to see the exact meaning of each field of a nameplate using a W22 Premium
three phase electric induction motor manufactured by WEG as an example.

What is the Function of a Nameplate?


The function of a motor nameplate is to provide precise information about the characteristics of a motor.
This information means those who work on or maintain the motor can easily recognize the type of motor
and its characteristics without having to perform thorough analysis of the unit. As the language is
standardized and largely numerical, the same nameplate could be understood by operators from around
the world.

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