Environmental Factors to Consider When Choosing a Motor or Gearmotor
There are a myriad of external influences for motors in various applications that could be considered when specifying a fractional horsepower motor. At Groschopp we sometimes run into very extreme applications from highly explosive environments to motors that need to run underwater. There are several common environmental factors to consider when choosing a motor or gearmotor—especially when it needs to function in the great outdoors.
Motor Sealing
Typically, a motor that will be in an outdoor environment needs to be completely sealed from the elements. If there is a possibility that your application requires a motor that will see some sort of precipitation and/or dust this should be communicated to your motor manufacturer during the initial design phase. It’s important to follow a standard design practice for ingress protection to ensure that the inside of the motor remains free of water and dust which can significantly affect performance.
Motor Temperature
Another environmental factor to consider when reviewing your design requirements is the temperature to which the motor or gearmotor will be exposed. Will the motor be mounted inside an engine compartment or near other systems that generate heat, or may it be exposed to direct sunlight? High ambient temperatures will result in overall higher motor running temperature which may require internal motor components that have higher temperature ratings. Elevated ambient temperatures can also have a negative impact on motor torque so if a higher temperature has been identified for a certain application this needs to be communicated early in the design process so that the correct performance can be achieved. A motor that is exposed to direct sunlight may see degradation of coatings and/or sealing components; sufficient parts should be specified for the application.
Often times a motor that is exposed to elevated temperatures may also be subject to colder than normal temperatures. If this is the case, especially if the temperatures can drop below -40°C, this should be communicated to our sales or design team. Special gearbox lubrication, motor bearing grease and other internal components must be specified to ensure the motor or gearmotor runs properly in cold temperatures.
Determining the environmental conditions for your application can sometimes be challenging; at Groschopp, our sales and design teams work to assist customers in identifying what their requirements may be. Once these environmental conditions are known our team goes to work making sure the correct components are specified into the motor so that it will meet our customers’ expectations no matter what Mother Nature has to dish up.
