Featured Articles

Electric Motor

Choosing An Electric Motor

Four Things to Know When Consulting Your Motor Vendor Once you know the basics (horsepower, RPM, voltage & phase, frame size & configuration, and enclosure), you can request several different documents from your motor vendor to help you finalize your selection – and provide information for the end-user if he or she will be someone […]


Gear Reducers

Gear Reducers 101: Back to the Basics

Gear reducers convert high-speed rotational energy from an input or driving device, such as a motor, to an output or driven device, such as a shaft. These devices reduce the output speed of the motor with a proportional increase in output torque using two or more gears configured to obtain the correct rotational or translational […]


Figure 1: Aggregate conveyor. Source: Peter Craven/CC BY 2.0

Selecting an Appropriate Gear Reducer

The selection of an appropriate gear reducer can be a daunting task for a design engineer because there are a myriad of potential gear reducer designs and products that may appear to satisfy design requirements. On one hand, a gear reducer that is over-designed for the application may result in the selection of a more […]


Hyundai Crown Triton severe duty motor on a blower package headed to the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor. Source: Frank Rizzo/WorldWide Electric Corp.

The Essentials of Marine Motors

Electric motors carry out essential marine tasks in offshore, coastal and inland marine environments. Oil platforms rely on pumps to drive the pumping rod, process recovered oil and transfer it to tankers. Tankers and other ships are equipped with pumps to expel bilge water, transfer fluids and ventilate the engine and decks. Air compression needs […]


Reducing gearbox costs in the aggregate industry

Reducing gearbox costs in the aggregate industry

An understanding of the harsh operating conditions and significant costs of downtime is the first step to reducing gearbox costs in the aggregate industry. Aggregate industry operations include mining, processing and conveying crushed stone, concrete, asphalt, gravel, sand and cement for construction. Equipment used in the aggregate industry includes ruggedized conveyors, crushers, vibrators, feeders and […]


Motor operation in hot and cold climates

Motor operation in hot and cold climates

Overheating is one of the most common ways to damage electronic and electrical machines. This is especially true for electric motors. The temperature range of a motor is clearly defined by the instruction manual and the motor nameplate. An ambient operating temperature range of -20° C to 40° C is most common for general purpose […]


Motor enclosures: The passive part with a crucial role

Motor enclosures: The passive part with a crucial role

Electric motors have innumerable applications. The simple, efficient, reliable conversion from electric power to kinetic rotary output is invaluable to modern industry. Yet, application suitability is often determined by a passive mechanical part – the motor enclosure. Factors such as ambient explosive gas, weather conditions or environmental contaminants like dust, debris, moisture or chemicals are […]


Understanding variable frequency drives and applications

Understanding variable frequency drives and applications

Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are solid-state electronic motor controllers that efficiently meet varying process requirements by adjusting the frequency and voltage of power supplied to an alternating current (AC) motor, enabling it to operate over a wide speed range. External sensors monitor flow, liquid levels or pressure and then transmit a feedback signal to a […]


Regular maintenance and wiring inspection are crucial for VFD health and longevity

Regular maintenance and wiring inspection are crucial for VFD health and longevity

A regular maintenance schedule is important to keep a variable frequency drive (VFD) operating efficiently and effectively. Cost-effective maintenance starts early in the design phase by ensuring that the right type of VFD is selected for the job. For outdoor applications such as oil and gas operations, irrigation, wastewater treatment and mineral extraction, the correct […]


Figure 2. A Class I, Division 1, Group C and D explosion-proof motor. Source: Worldwide Electric

What is an explosion proof electric motor?

Preventive safety requires careful selection of equipment, particularly electric motors, in dangerous oil and gas recovery, chemical and petroleum refinery and mining environments. Motors can create an explosion by one of two means: A motor surface gets so hot during operation that it ignites a vapor, gas or dust A single arc from a motor […]