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APPENDIX
D Engineering Aspects of Practical Electric Machine Performance and Operation
insulation-system classes of chief interest for industrial machines are class B, class F,
and class H. Class B insulation includes mica, glass fiber, asbestos, and similar ma-
terials with suitable bonding substances. Class F insulation also includes mica, glass
fiber, and synthetic substances similar to those in class B, but the system must be capa-
ble of withstanding higher temperatures. Class H insulation, intended for still higher
temperatures, may consist of materials such as silicone elastomer and combinations
including mica, glass fiber, asbestos, and so on, with bonding substances such as
appropriate silicone resins. Experience and tests showing the material or system to be
capable of operation at the recommended temperature form the important classifying
criteria.
When the temperature class of the insulation is established, the permissible
observable temperature rises for the various parts of industrial-type machines can
be found by consulting the appropriate standards. Reasonably detailed distinctions
are made with respect to type of machine, method of temperature measurement,
machine part involved, whether the machine is enclosed, and the type of cool-
ing (air-cooled, fan-cooled, hydrogen-cooled, etc.). Distinctions are also made be-
tween general-purpose machines and definite- or special-purpose machines. The term
general-purpose motor
refers to one of standard rating "up to 200 hp with standard
operating characteristics and mechanical construction for use under usual service
conditions without restriction to a particular application or type of application." In
contrast a
special-purpose motor
is "designed with either operating characteristics or
mechanical construction, or both, for a particular application." For the same class of
insulation, the permissible rise of temperature is lower for a general-purpose motor
than for a special-purpose motor, largely to allow a greater factor of safety where
service conditions are unknown. Partially compensating the lower rise, however, is
the fact that general-purpose motors are allowed a
service factor
of 1.15 when op-
erated at rated voltage; the service factor is a multiplier which, applied to the rated
output, indicates a permissible loading which may be carried continuously under the
conditions specified for that service factor.
Examples of allowable temperature rises can be seen from Table D. 1. The table
applies to integral-horsepower induction motors, is based on 40°C ambient temper-
ature, and assumes measurement of temperature rise by determining the increase of
winding resistances.
The most common machine rating is the
continuous rating
defining the output
(in kilowatts for dc generators, kilovoltamperes at a specified power factor for ac
generators, and horsepower or kilowatts for motors) which can be carried indefinitely
Table
D.1 Allowable temperature rise, °Ct.
Motor type Class B Class F Class H
1.15 service factor
1.00 service factor, encapsulated windings
Totally enclosed, fan-cooled
Totally enclosed, nonventilated
90 115
85 110
80 105
85 110
125
135
t Excerpted from NEMA standards.