Tech Tips: Harsh Motor Environments

How fractional horsepower motors are rated for harsh motor environments. Understanding IP ratings and harsh duty requirements is important to accurately communicate an application’s requirements.

Video Transcript: Groschopp Tech Tips – Harsh Motor Environments

Hello!  This is Bethany with a Groschopp Tech Tip. For today’s Tech Tip we will be discussing Ingress Protection and the requirements for a harsh duty fractional horsepower motors or gearmotors.

When the design requirements require the motor to perform in extreme environments there are several common environmental factors to consider.

A harsh duty motor provides protection from the surrounding environment involving water, dust, or foreign debris, known as Ingress Protection or IP for short.   The International Standard IEC 60529 classifies and rates the degrees of protection against entrance of foreign objects and liquids.

IP ratings can be broken down into two sections – solids and liquids.

The ratings start with IPØØ — no protection from solid objects or liquids — and end with IP68 – complete protection from the smallest dust particle and completely submersible for long periods of time.

Most motors and gearmotors have a standard IP rating of 44.

Harsh duty rated motors have an IP rating of 66 or higher.  These motors are most often used in applications that will be exposed to extreme environments.

To achieve an IP66 (or higher) motor special sealing techniques are used.  Typical sealing practices include rubber O-rings and specially formulated sealants that are applied to bolts and bolt holes, endbells, and shaft outputs.  Modifications such, as brush cards on DC motors, also allow for greater protection.

Harsh duty rated motors also need to be able to withstand extremes in temperature, corrosive environments, heavy vibrations, protection against explosions, or a combination of these.  Modifications are made to standard product to achieve these protections.  Often special coatings or treatments are applied to the motor housing, endbells, and shafts to protect against corrosion and rust. Special gearbox lubrication, motor bearing grease, and other internal components must be used to ensure proper running in excessively hot or cold temperatures.

This has been a Groschopp Tech Tip.  For more information about any of our products or to view other Tech Tips please visit us online at www.groschopp.com.

Additional Videos

How to use the Motor Search Tool

Narrow your search by selecting motor type, gearbox, voltage, and phase options for your desired motor.

Select a dominant variable: choose one of the three parameters to narrow your search. The selected variable determines which slider bar you will be able to manually move.

Use the slider corresponding to your dominant variable to further narrow your motor selection. The other sliders will automatically move to show available ranges based on the range of your selected variable.

Results will upload as your search criteria changes. If you have any questions regarding your results or how to use the search tool, you can chat with us using the green tab on the left-hand side of your screen.


Note: Groschopp Universal motors are custom built to fit your application so no additional options are available to narrow the search. Selecting the Universal motor type will prompt a message taking you to the Universal product page.

Not sure what you need?

One of our team members would be happy to help. Contact us at 800-829-4135 or by email at sales@groschopp.com. You can also chat with us using the green tab on the left side of your screen.

send us an email

Universal Motors

Groschopp Universal motors are custom built to fit your application so no additional options are available to narrow the search. Standard frame sizes and motor features can be found on the Universal page.

go to Universal page