CHAPTER : FOUR

MOTOR RATING SELECTION &

CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTRIC
DRIVES FOR COMMON APPLICATIONS
CONTENTS

4. Selection of Motor
4.1. Electrical Characteristics of Electric Motor
4.2. Mechanical Characteristics of Electric Motor
4.3. Standard Rating of Electric Motor
4.4. Common Application of Electric Drives for Different
Industrial Application

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4. Selection of motors
o An industrial process needs a particular electric drive for its successful and
efficient operation which in turn calls for appropriate selection of the driving
motor.
o While selecting a motor, the following factors must be taken into consideration:

1. Electrical characteristics
· Running characteristics
· Starting characteristics
· Speed control
· Braking
2. Mechanical characteristics
· Types of enclosures
· Bearings
· Transmission of drive
· Noise level

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 3. Size of motor ( Standard rating of motor) and
· Continuous rating
· Intermittent or variable load rating
· Over load capacity
· Pull out torque
4. Cost
· Capital cost
· Running cost

oThe first three are the technical factors and the last one is the economic factor.
o Many a time, there are conflicts between the technical and economic factors, but
in any commercial organization, the economic factor overpowers the technical
factors as the correct choice of a motor is one which gives the required service at
the minimum overall cost.

o It is essential that the motor characteristics match with those of the load for stable
operation of the system.

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 The choice of motor speed is the most important factor as it not only affects
the performance of motor but also overall cost.
 The dimension and, therefore, the first cost of a motor for a given output are
approximately inversely proportional to the speed, so for the some output kW
the cost of a high speed motor is less than that of a slow speed motor. HOW??
 In case of induction motor, the efficiency and power factor decreases with
decrease in speed. HOW???
 Thus for a low-speed drive high speed motor using a reduction gear is usually
found cheaper than a low-speed direct-coupled motor.

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4.1.Electrical characteristics:
1) Running characteristics
o The running characteristics of a motor include the following speed- torque or
speed current characteristics, losses, magnetizing current, efficiency and power
factor at various loads.
oThe magnetizing current and power factor are to be considered in case of A.C
motors only.
2) Starting characteristics
oThe starting torque developed by a motor should be sufficient to start and
accelerate the motor at its load to the rated speed in a reasonable time.
o Some motors may be have to start against full load torque.
o E.g motors driving grinding mills or oil expellers, traction work etc.
At the time of starting a motor, two torques come into play.
o The torque required to overcome the static friction and
o The torque necessary to accelerate the motor and its load to the desired speed.
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Reading assignment :
o Starting characteristics of D.C motors (T Vs Ns & T Vs Ia chax curve)
o Starting characteristics of three phase induction motor
o Starting characteristics of synchronous motor
3) Speed control
In D.C motor the speed can be controlled by following methods
• Armature control method
• Field control method
In A.C motors, the speed can be controlled by following methods
• By changing the supply voltage
• By changing the supply frequency
• By changing the no of poles of motor
• By injecting emf in the rotor circuit
• By cascading of motors
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•By injecting resistance in the rotor circuit
4) Braking
• When the load is removed from an electric motor and supplied to it be
disconnected it will continue to run for sometime due to inertia.
• To avoid danger to the worker or damage to the products manufactured quick
stopping of motor is required. It is done by braking.
• The braking system should be reliable and quick in action. The braking torque
must be controllable.
•There are two types of braking.
i) Mechanical braking
ii) Electrical braking

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4.2. Mechanical characteristics of electric motor

• While selecting a motor for a particular drive, the mechanical characteristics are
also taken into account.
• The following features determine the suitability of the motor.
1. Types of enclosures
2. Bearings
3. Transmission of drive
4. Noise

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1) Types of enclosures
• All the major parts of the motors such as windings, bearings, insulation etc are
to be protected from the surroundings contaminated air.
• In an industry the air surrounding the motors may contain metal, dust, oil,
mist, water, dust inflammable fumes etc. also accidents may occur to persons
coming in contact with the moving parts.
• Therefore it is necessary to provide proper enclosures.
• The different types of enclosures are as follows.
a) Open type
• This type can only be used where the atmosphere and surroundings are
free from all contaminations and surrounding air completely dry.
•The advantage of this type of motor is that the cost of cooling is very
low.
•But this type is rarely used since there is no protection to the motor parts. 10
b) Screen protected type
• In this type of machines openings provided for ventilation are covered
with wire mesh screen.
• This type of enclosures does not protect the motor against dirt and dust.
• But larger bodies and big insects cannot enter into the machine.
c) Drip proof type
• This motor has ventilating opening provided in such a way that drops of
liquid or solid falling on it vertically are prevented to enter inside.
•This type of motor cannot be used where inflammable dust particles are
present in the surrounding air.
• Such motors are used in damp atmosphere. E.g Pumpsets.

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e) Splash proof type
• In this type, the ventilation ducts are provided in such a way that drops of liquid
or solid particles reaching the machine at any angle between vertical and 100˚
from it cannot enter the machine.
f) Flame proof type
• These enclosures do not communicate an internal fire to the external
environment.
• Hence these motors are used in coal mines, gas plants, oil refineries etc.,
• where the risk of fire is more.
g) Pipe ventilated type
• Large sizes of totally enclosed motor employ pipe ventilation.
• Air is drawn through pipe from outside the building, where clean air is
available and forced to cool the motor.
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2) Bearings
• Bearings are the parts of machines which house and support the main shaft.
• It provides free rotation of the moving parts with minimum friction.
• There are two types of bearings usually employed in motors.
a. Ball or Roller bearing
b. Sleeve or brush bearing

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a) Ball or Roller bearing
• Ball or roller bearing consist of an inner and outer race and cage containing
steel roller or balls.
• The outer race is attached to the housing(end cover) and the inner race is
attached to the shaft.
• When the shaft rotates, the steel ball also rotates. Hence the friction of the
shaft is minimized.
• It has a longer life and maintenance costs are low.
• It occupy less space. But the initial cost of ball and roller bearings is high.
• It is used in three phase induction motor where smaller air gap is possible.
• It is used for chain, belt and gear drives.

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b) Sleeve or brush bearing
• Sleeve or brush bearings are normally made of bronze.
• The rotating shaft is supported by bearing component and is rigidly fixed to the
frame of the machine.
• It has self lubricating properties due to capillary action.
• It is lubricated by a metal ring freely rotating on the shaft carrying oil to the
bearings.
• It is mainly used in direct coupled drive such as fan and universal motor.
• It gives noiseless operation and their life is long.
• Because of larger wear of bearings, this type of bearing is used in larger air gap
induction motor.

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3) Transmission of drives
• Various methods employed for transmission of mechanical power are
described below.
a. Direct drive
b. Belt drive
c. Rope drive
d. Chain drive and
e. Gear drive
a) Direct drive
• In direct drive, motor is coupled directly to the driven machine with the help
of solid or flexible coupling.
• Flexible coupling protects the motor from jerks.
• It is more efficient and requires minimum space and it is the simplest
method.
• It can be used where driven and driving machine speed are same.

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b) Belt drive
• In belt drive, belt is used to transmit the power from motor to driven machine
through pulley system.
• The mechanical power wasted due to slip is about 3 to 4 percentage.
• Maximum power of 300 H.P can be transmitted through this drive.
Advantages
• Greater flexibility in the original design of a plant is possible.
• It gives convenient speed ratio thereby high speed motors can be utilized.
• The tendency of slipping especially under heavy loads is reduced because it will
absorb a portion of the shock of suddenly applied loads.

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c) Rope drive
• This method for transmission for power is used, when it is not possible to employ
belt drive.
• A number of ropes run in V-grooves over pulleys.
• The advantages of rope drive are negligible slip and ability of taking sudden loads.
• It is mainly used in lift and cranes.
d) Chain drive
• Chain drive is very costly in comparison to belt and rope drive.
• It can be used for high speed ratio (up to 6:1).
• It is more efficient and transmits large amount of power.
• It is noiseless, sliplesss and smooth in operation.
e) Gear drive
• Gear drive is used when high speed motor is to drive a low speed machine.
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• The coupling between the two is through a suitable ratio gear box.
4) Noise
• Noise is the another important features to be considered while making the
selection of a motor.
• It should be kept as low as possible in the workshops, hospitals and other
domestic purposes.
• The noise may be due to bearing, vibrations, magnetic pulsations and faulty
foundations.
• To reduce noise, journal bearing may be used in place of ball bearings.
• The motor should be mounted on a heavy concrete or cast iron block.
• The electrical connections should be made through flexible conduits.

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4.3. Standard rating of Electric Motor
• The rating of motor is the amount of power which it can deliver without
becoming unduly hot. The rating of a motor is classified as follows.
a). Continuous rating.
b). Intermittent rating or short time rating.

a) Continuous rating
•This is the rating or the output of a motor which can be delivered continuously for
long periods without exceeding the permissible temperature.
•This rating is applicable to drives like fans, pumps, textile, mills etc. which
operate continuously for long periods.
b) Intermittent rating or short time rating
• This is an output that a motor can give for specified short time without
exceeding the permissible temperature rise.
•Such motor is loaded for short period of time and is then put off for sometime.
• During that period the motor cools off as in mixies.

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Classes of load duty cycles
•As per IS 4722 – 1968 various load time variations are encountered the eight
standard classes of duty.
1. Continuous duty.
2. Short time duty.
3. Intermittent periodic duty.
4. Intermittent periodic duty in the starting.
5. Intermittent periodic duty with starting and braking.
6. Continuous duty with intermittent periodic loading.
7. Continuous duty with starting and braking.
8. Continuous duty with periodic speed changes.

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Selection of motors for different duty cycles
a) Continuous duty
• Continuous duty denotes the motor operation at a constant load torque to reach
steady state temperature.
• Paper mill drives, compressors, conveyers, centrifugal pumps and fans are
some examples of continuous duty.
b) Short time duty
•It denotes the operation of motor at constant load for short period followed by rest
to cool down to the original starting temperature.
• Short time duty timings are generally 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes.
• Crane drivers, drives for household appliances, sluice gate drives, valve drives
and machine tool drives are some examples of short-time duty.

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c) Intermittent periodic duty
• It denotes the operation of motor a sequence of identical duty cycle each of
constant load and rest period.
•In this duty, heating of machine during starting and braking operation is
negligible.
• Pressing, cutting and drilling machine drives are some examples of intermittent
periodic duty.
d) Intermittent periodic duty with starting
• This is intermittent periodic duty where heat losses during starting cannot be
neglected.
•Thus it consists of a period of starting, a period of operation at a constant load
and rest period.
•The operating and rest periods are too short to attain the steady state temperature
in one duty cycle.
•In this duty heating of machine during braking is considered to be negligible.
• Some examples are metal cutting, drilling tool drives, mine hoist drives for lift
trucks.

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e) Intermittent periodic duty with starting and braking
• This is the periodic duty where heat losses during starting and braking cannot
be ignored.
• Thus it consists of a period of starting, a period of operation with constant load,
a braking period, and a rest period.
• Thermal equilibrium is not reached in one duty cycle.
• Braking is done electrically and is quick
• Several machine tool drives, drives for electric suburban trains and mine hoist
are some examples of this duty.
f) Continuous duty with intermittent periodic loading
• The operation of motor has a sequence of identical duty cycle, each consisting of
a period of operation and a period of operation on no load.
• Thermal equilibrium is not reached in one duty cycle
• This duty is distinguished from the intermittent periodic duty by a period of
running at constant load is followed by a period of running at no load instead of
rest.
• Pressing, cutting, shearing and drilling machine drives are the examples.

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g) Continuous duty with starting and braking
• The operation of motor consists of period of starting, a period of operation at
constant load a period of electric braking and there is no rest period.
• Blooming mill is an example.
h) Continuous duty with periodic speed changes
• Operation of the motor has a sequence of identical duty cycle, each cycle is
having a period of running at one load and speed and followed by another period
of running at different speed and load.

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4.4. Common Application of Electrical Drives for Different
Industrial Application
1. Paper mill- Synchronous motor
A paper mill requires a drive which must fulfill the following requirements
 To manufacture different thickness of papers it is required to vary the speed of
entire series of rolls.
 Relative speed of rolls should be constant otherwise the paper may be tearing.
 It is required to adjust the speed at any one group of rolls relative to other in
order to draw the paper.
2. Rolling mills or steel mills – separately excited DC motor
 Separately excited DC motor is mainly used in rolling mills.
 The motor required for these mills should have high starting torque about 2 to
2.5 times the rated torque.
 It should have strong construction.
The ward leonard speed control of D.C motors or slip ring induction motors
are used.

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3. Textile mills – Double cage induction motor
 In textile mills group drive is employed.
 The motors employed must have high starting torque with constant speed.
 The motors used must be totally enclosed and moisture proof to prevent entry of
dust and moisture enter into machine.
 Hence totally enclosed, fan cooled, high torque double cage induction motors are
used.
4. Cement mills
 Various types of loads available in a cement factory and the motor used for them
are given below
a) Hammer crusher – Three phase slip ring induction motor
 The lime stones are broken into smaller sizes in the crushing mill.
 For this purpose high starting torque motor is required.
 Hence three phase slip ring induction motor is used because it has high starting
torque.
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b) Ball mills – Synchronous motor
 In ball mills, the raw materials grind in powder form synchronous motor are
used for this process.
c) Rotary driers – Slip ring induction motor
 The cement slurry is dried by blowers and speed of blower is varied depending
upon the amount of air required to blow.
 Hence slip ring induction motor with pole changing speed control is employed.
d) Slurring pumps and agitators – Three phase Squirrel cage induction motor
 These are used in the wet process
 Three phase Squirrel cage induction motors used for slurring pumps and
agitators.

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5. Machine tools – D.C shunt motor or 3Ф Squirrel cage induction motor
 The starting torque required is less in most of the machine tools since they start
up light.
 Therefore 3 phase squirrel cage induction motor is used for machine tool
application.
 Different speed operation is obtained by using two or three speed motor with
suitable gear combination.
 D.C shunt motors are used for machine tool application like planners where
rapid reversal, and wide speed control are required.
 In the case of grinders, totally enclosed motors are used to prevent metallic
dust getting into it.

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6. Lift and hoists – DC compound motor or 3Ф slip ring induction motor
 The essential requirements for a lift are high overload capacity, high smooth
accelerating torque of 2 to 2.5 times the full load torque at starting and
maximum degree of silence.
 D.C compound motor and three phase slip ring induction motor are used for
lifts and hoists.
7. Belt conveyor – Double squirrel cage induction motor
 The conveyors are required to transport bulk materials like coal, are sand on
either flat belt or bucket system.
 It requires a high starting torque so as to accelerate the load for transport.
 Hence totally enclosed surface cooled motors are used.
 Double squirrel cage induction motors are used in belt conveyors.

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8. Ship – Synchronous motors
 Three phase induction motors and synchronous motors are used for very big
ships.
 A three phase alternator gives the supply to the synchronous motor.
 The prime mover used for the alternator is steam turbine by varying the voltage
and frequency of alternator the speed of motor is controlled.
9. Air compressor - 3 Ф Induction motor
 Air compressors are used for pneumatic drill, 3Ф induction motors are used to
drive compressors.
 Repulsion motor is used for various industrial machinery air compressors.
 Single phase induction motor is used for small air compressors.

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10. Punches and shears
 For punches and shears D.C cumulative compound motors and
 A.C 3 Ф slip ring induction motors provided with fly wheel are used.
11. Rotary printing
 The rotary printing machinery requires variable speed motor.
 D.C compound motors or A.C 3 Ф induction motors with rotor resistance
control are used for printing machineries.
12. Pumps
Centrifugal pump
 The load torque varies as square of the speed in a centrifugal pump.
 At starting the torque required is less.
 Hence 3 Ф squirrel cage induction motor is used for centrifugal pump.
 The liquid handled by the pump does not enter the motor.
 Hence totally enclosed motor is preferred.
Reciprocating pump
A reciprocating pump requires two times the full load torque at starting.
A double cage induction motor is suitable for reciprocating pump.
3 Ф slip ring induction motor is also used for this type of pump.
 D.C shunt motor is used where D.C supply is available.
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13. Draught fan
 The single phase split phase induction motors are used for draught fan.
 The single phase split phase induction motor has shunt characteristics and so
the operating speed is almost constant.
14. Ceiling fans
 Single phase capacitor start and run motors are used for ceiling fan.
15. Cranes – D.C series motor
The D.C series motors are used for cranes because they have high starting
torque.
 Because they have high starting torque, which helps the motor to reach the speed
in a short time and also prevents the motor from stalling in case of heavy loads.
 A.C 3 Ф slip ring inductions are also used for cranes.
 For starting and special adjustments proper graded rotor resistance is used
with slip ring induction motor. 33
16. Mines
 The various loads in a mine are winders, ventilating fans, conveyors,
compressors and pumps.
 The winder consists of two cages and a rope for transporting material from
bottom of the mine to the surface.
Acceleration and braking operations are repeated. A 3 Ф slip ring induction
motor with ward leonard speed control is used for winder.
 Ventilating fans are used for circulating fresh air. A 3 Ф squirrel cage induction
motor is used for ventilating fan if no speed control is not required.
Conveyors require a high starting torque, so a double squirrel cage motor is used.
Compressor is used to provide compressed air for pneumatic drills used for
mining operations. It requires shunt characteristics and so 3 Ф squirrel cage
induction motor is used.

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Centrifugal pumps are used to pump out the water falling through the rock layers.
It requires high starting torque therefore a 3 Ф slip ring induction motor is used for
pumps.

17. Domestic appliances – Universal motor or Single phase induction motor

 Small universal motor is used for various domestic appliances such as for
domestic refrigerators, shavers, vacuum cleaner, mixi, cloth washing machines
etc.,

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