Slip is a fundamental concept in the operation of induction motors, the workhorses of industry. Though the term may be unfamiliar outside technical circles, understanding slip explains how these motors produce torque, why their...
The quality of the electrical supply feeding a motor affects how efficiently and reliably it runs, and one of the more subtle influences is harmonic distortion. Harmonics are an increasingly common feature of modern...
Deciding whether a more efficient motor is worth its higher price comes down to numbers, and those numbers are more approachable than many assume. Calculating a motor’s energy consumption and the payback period for...
Accurate measurement of electrical power is the foundation of any efficiency analysis, yet three-phase power, the standard for industrial motors, is easy to measure incorrectly. Understanding how to measure it properly ensures that efficiency...
The purchase price of an electric motor is often the figure that gets the most attention, yet for a motor that runs regularly it is usually the smallest part of the total cost. The...
Variable speed drives are frequently promoted as a route to energy savings, and the claim is well founded, but the size of the saving depends heavily on the application. Understanding where the savings come...
Sizing a motor correctly means matching it not only to the load but to the pattern of operation, the duty cycle. A motor that runs continuously has very different requirements from one that starts...
A motor does not operate in isolation from its surroundings; the conditions where it is installed influence how it performs and how long it lasts. Temperature, altitude, humidity, and cleanliness all play a part,...
A common and costly misconception is that a motor uses energy in proportion to the work it does, so that a lightly loaded motor is automatically economical. In reality, motor efficiency depends strongly on...
Every motor must deal with the heat its losses produce, and how it is cooled affects not only its reliability but also aspects of its efficiency. Understanding the common cooling methods and their implications...