Understanding Motor and Gear Drive Nameplate Information for Irrigation Pump Evaluations
Electric-powered irrigation pumps are widely used in the U.S. In 2013, nearly 428,000 irrigation pumps were powered by electric motors in the U.S. (Farm and ranch irrigation survey, 2013). As such, there are significant opportunities for energy savings that can be achieved by improving the performance of irrigation pumping plants. Conducting energy audit studies helps in assessing the efficiency of these systems. One of the most important first steps is to accurately identify installed equipment. Original installation notes or manuals are often lost, leaving it up to the energy auditor to identify the make, model and serial numbers of pumping plant system components. In the case of electric motors and gear drive units, nameplates often remain intact and attached to the equipment, giving the auditor a wide variety of important information to accurately evaluate system efficiency.
Figure 1 shows a complete listing of the various parameters of interest for a gear drive and a typical three-phase AC induction motor. This is the most common motor found in irrigation systems and most of industry in general.
Figure 1. Common nameplate information found on gear-head housings and AC motors.
Basic knowledge of the terms listed on a nameplate allows the auditor to better understand the performance limits of the motor and gear drive, as well as their combined efficiency. The purpose of this Fact Sheet is to explain the meaning and purpose of nameplate information and show how to use nameplate and measured motor speed to calculate motor loading.
Nameplate information gives the auditor a snapshot understanding of several important operating limits. For example, if the motor’s nameplate Full Load Amps (FLA) is 45 and the auditor measures 50, then excessive Amp-pull or load is highly likely. Alternatively, if 15 Amps on a 45 FLA motor is measured, the motor is very under-loaded and operating inefficiently. Significant deviations in measured operating levels from nameplate information identify specific problem areas.
Not all motor manufacturers stamp all information given in Figure 1 on the nameplate. As federal energy efficiency guidelines for motors has increased (Energy Policy Act 1975), nameplate information has become more complete. Therefore, older motors may have only basic information; and just because a nameplate is still attached to equipment does not guarantee its legibility. In irrigation audits, the equipment can be old and weather-beaten due to constant exposure to the elements.
Normally, there are two ways to display information on a nameplate. The first is stamping a metal plate (Figure 2). This method normally prevents component information from fading over time. Sometimes the descriptive name where the stamped data is located cannot be read, but if one is familiar with the data fields it is easy to guess the category of data. A second way is the information is painted on a metal or plastic plate riveted to the component. This becomes problematic with older equipment because painted data fades under sunlight or is wiped off by solvents or abrasion. In this case, the auditor has little to start with.
Figure 2. Stamped metal nameplate.
Electric Motor Nameplate
An explanation of motor nameplate abbreviations and terms is given below:
Model Number and Serial Number
The model and serial number are usually a sequence of letters and numbers determined
by the manufacturer. Having just the model number can help the auditor track down
motor specifications even when all other information is missing.
Motor weight
Motor weight must specify pounds or kilograms. Larger electric motors (e.g., 100 HP)
used for irrigation can easily weigh 1,300 pounds.
Rating or AMB
AMB stands for ambient temperature. The rating or AMB is the maximum room temperature
or air space where the motor is located and time it can safely operate under those
conditions. The common rating of 40C-AMB-CONT means continuous operation at 40 C.
Motor life will be longer if ambient temperatures are less.
FLA, voltage and Hz
FLA is an abbreviation for the Full Load Amp rating. Motors are designed to operate
at 50 to 100 percent of their rated load. At FLA, the motor runs at 100 percent of
its rated load and the label specifies the current it will draw. Many electrical components
like wiring, circuit breaker and starter are sized based on FLA.
Most electric motors are designed to operate at a specific voltage. Motors can run safely at ±10 percent of the rated voltage. Exceeding the specified range can cause permanent damage. Some motors are designed to operate at dual voltages, i.e., 230V and 460V, depending on the selected wiring. For a dual voltage motor, the nameplate should have wiring information for the desired voltage at the bottom of the nameplate (Figure 3).
The abbreviation Hz is the Hertz or input voltage frequency of the motor. Motor speed is directly related to the line input voltage frequency. In the U.S., 60 Hz is the standard frequency while 50 Hz is common elsewhere.
Figure 3. Nameplate of a dual voltage motor with high and low voltage wiring diagrams.
HP, phase and RPM
Output horsepower, or HP, is the motor output at its rated load. It is dependent on the kilowatts, or KW, demanded by the motor along with efficiency, power factor and actual load. In energy audits conducted in central, northwest and Panhandle regions of Oklahoma, the horsepower of electric motor-driven irrigation pumps varied from 14 to 100. As the depth to water table (pumping depth) increases, higher motor HP is required. One can easily determine groundwater depth using a water level meter, then determine required motor horsepower. For more information on how to measure groundwater depth, please refer to Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet BAE-1538, “Measuring Depth to Groundwater in Irrigation Wells” (Frazier et al., 2017).
Generally, electric motors are either single phase or three phase. Motors larger than about 30 HP are usually three phase. Three-phase motors typically can be wired for different voltages and amperages described above.
RPM stands for revolutions per minute and is the shaft speed of the motor at the rated HP load. Depending upon the number of poles, frequency, design and motor slip (described below), the RPM will vary slightly for each manufacturer. For a four-pole motor operating at 60 Hz, the (no-load) RPM would be 1,800.
Design, frame and type
Design categorizes the motor’s starting torque using letters B, C and D to correspond
with normal, high and very high starting torque, respectively. Induction AC motors
experience high starting torques as they go from a standstill to FLA RPM. This is
related to Locked Rotor Amps, or LRA, where the starting current can be four to eight
times higher than FLA for a few seconds. LRA may be separately labeled on the nameplate.
The National Electrical Manufacturer’s Association, or NEMA, has defined frame sizes using a combination of numbers and letters. There are two categories of frame sizes based on whether it is a fractional- or integral-type motor. Fractional sizes include 42, 48 and 56; whereas, 140, 180 and larger are integral type motors. If a new motor’s frame size differs from the old motor, it might not properly fit.
“Type” refers to the category of motor enclosure protecting the windings, bearings, and other vulnerable parts. There are many types of enclosures listed by NEMA, but the most common ones are Open Drip Proof, or ODP, and Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled, or TEFC. ODP motors have an open enclosure, so air can freely enter, but liquids and solids cannot enter the motor from an angle of 0 to 15 degrees. An ODP enclosure is not waterproof and is better suited for indoor applications.
In contrast, a TEFC motor enclosure is totally enclosed and comes with an external cooling fan. Proper selection of the motor enclosure is very important because it must provide around-the-clock protection, regardless of the situation. TEFC motors are typically found on irrigation sites because they are designed to work outdoors. A TEFC enclosure also is required when explosive vapors are present.
Service factor
Service factor, or SF, is a number that indicates how much overloading a motor can
handle without causing permanent damage. For example, 1.15 SF means the motor can
be loaded 15 percent over its maximum rated load for a short time until its internal
temperature becomes excessive. This means a 100 HP motor with a SF of 1.15 can operate
at 115 HP load for some time before overheating. Continuously operating the motor
at its SF will adversely affect its efficiency and reduce useful life.
NEMA nominal efficiency and guaranteed efficiency
Motor efficiency is the ratio of output mechanical power produced to input electrical
power. NEMA nominal efficiency is the average motor efficiency obtained by testing
a representative group of motors. Minimum or guaranteed motor efficiency allows for
losses up to 20 percent more than nominal efficiency. It accounts for output variation
among the motors. Reduction in efficiency will increase pumping costs. Over time,
federal regulations have required newer motors to be more efficient. It is safe to
assume newer motors are more efficient due to a lack of degradation and lower past
efficiency standards. Economic analysis can help users decide if a newer motor will
pay for itself within its useful life.
PF and maximum KVAR
All inductive devices in an AC circuit have a Power Factor, or PF, rating. It is the
ratio of active or real power to total power (Figure 4) while “kVAR” is the amount
of reactive power that produces no practical work. A PF of one means reactive power
(kVAR) is zero and motor is using all delivered power.
Motor efficiency increases with PF because the motor better utilizes supplied power. Low PF (usually less than 0.80) can result in a utility company’s power factor penalty on the customer’s electric bill. An under-loaded motor can cause the PF to drop lower than the PF listed for nameplate rated load. Actual motor load can be calculated using the method described under Motor Load Calculation Using Nameplate information.
Figure 4. Power Factor triangle.
Ct and Vt
The label Ct stands for constant torque and Vt stands for variable torque. The presence
of these nameplate abbreviations on a motor nameplate indicates it is rated for a
variable speed drive. This is important for customers wishing to retrofit electronic
drives onto existing motors.
Duty, insulation and code
Duty is the duration of safe motor operation. Most motors operate continuously without
requiring a cooling period. Others operate intermittently, and require a cooling period
between on/off cycles. For larger motors, continuous duty is common.
The NEMA insulation class describes the motor’s ability to handle maximum allowable
operating temperature over time. Operating temperature is the sum of ambient temperature
and motor temperature rise. Common insulation class descriptors are B, F and H indicating
temperatures of 130 C, 155 C and 180 C, respectively, that the motor can withstand.
At full voltage, inrush current on startup is four to eight times greater than FLA. The NEMA code letter denotes the magnitude of inrush current. Additional information about the 15 NEMA code types are given at: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/locked-rotor-code-d_917.html
Gear Drive Nameplate
Gear drives play an important role in agricultural machinery. Prior to variable speed drives, changing drive-to-driven gear or pulley ratios was the only way to vary delivery shaft speed and torque. Gear drives are not only used to transmit and vary both, but also to alter power delivery orientation (angle). For example, a right-angle gear drive transposes power from a horizonally-mounted motor to the vertical driveshaft of a turbine pump.Gear drives have nameplates that are not as detailed as an electric motor. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate this fact.
The serial number (Figure 5) of a gear drive is often expressed using a combination of letters and numbers. These will vary from company to company, depending on the type of the gear drive. Letters S, SH and SL denote three different types of gear drives: standard hollow shaft drive with standard thrust capacity, standard hollow shaft drive with heavy thrust capacity and standard hollow shaft drive with opposed thrust capacity, respectively.
Figure 5. A gear drive nameplate.
Ratio
The listed ratio represents the ratio of the input speed to output speed of the gear
drive. A 1:1 ratio means motor and pump shaft speed are identical (Figure 6). A 1:1.5
ratio for a motor running at 1,770 rpm means pump drive speed will be: 1,780 rpm (1/1.5)
= 1,190 rpm. Output speed is important when determining suitability of a particular
pump for a given set of depth, flow and pressure conditions.
Figure 6. Gear Drive nameplate for a 1:1 (non-reduction) drive ratio.
Oil specifications
Oil and lubrication requirements are often specified on the gear drive nameplate.
Only use the recommended oil type and grade. Oil flow rate recommended by the manufacturer
should be followed. Normally, a drip oiling system supplies needed lubrication. Following
the manufacturer’s recommendations will prevent over-oiling that will contaminate
groundwater or under-oiling that leads to premature wear and tear.
RPM
RPM stands for recommended revolutions per minute of the gear drive. The rpm of a
gear drive unit is proportional to the rpm of the attached motor. The input rpm of
the gear drive should match the output rpm of the motor. Mismatched motor/gear drive
rpm (e.g., 1,800 vs 3,600 rpm) could lead to premature failure of the gear drive.
Some of the additional specifications that are unique to the manufacturer and general requirement like oil capacity may often be found on the nameplate.
Motor Load Calculation Using Nameplate Information
This section gives an example of how to use nameplate information to determine motor loading or slip, also known as Slip Calculation. Actual efficiency of an AC induction motor depends on motor load. Maximum efficiency is realized when the motor is operating near 75 percent or more of its maximum rated load. In contrast, actual efficiency significantly decreases when load drops below 50 percent of the maximum rated load (Challenge, M., 1997). One of the easiest ways to determine load is to calculate “slip.” Full or design load slip is the difference between full load speed and no-load speed. Full load speed is motor rpm at its rated voltage at maximum rated load. No load speed is higher than full load speed because there is minimal resistance to movement. No-load synchronous speeds of 3,600; 1,800; 1,200 and 900 RPM correspond with 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-pole motors, respectively. No load speed is inversely related to the number of poles of the motor. A greater number of poles proportionately decreases rpm. Information about full load rpm and design horsepower can be found on the nameplate. Sometimes the no-load rpm is not listed. However, the full load rpm will be close to 1,800 or 3,600 rpm. Actual load is the ratio of true slip to design slip. True slip is the difference between synchronous and measured rpm. A tachometer is used to measure the actual speed. An example on how to calculate load is below.
Given:
Full Load rpm (FLRPM) = 1,770
No Load rpm (NLRPM) = 1,800
Measured rpm = 1,780
Design hp = 60
Required: Calculate a) design slip, b) true slip, c) percent load and d) true load. Solution:
- Design Slip =NLRPM –FLRPM
- = 1,800 – 1,770 = 30
- True Slip =NLRPM – Measured RPM
- = 1800 – 1780 = 20
- % load = True Slip ÷ Design Slip = 20 ÷ 30 = 0.67 or 67%
- True load = design HP x % load
- = 60 hp × 0.67 = 40 hp
In this particular case, the motor will operate efficiently as it is loaded above 50 percent.
Acknowledgment
This material is based on work supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), under number 69-3A75-16-013. Funding
was also provided by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA, under number 3070-13000-011-47S.
The authors are thankful to Dr. Don Sternitzke, the Water Management Specialist with
NRCS Oklahoma State Office for his valuable comments.
References
Challenge, M. (1997). Determining Electric Motor Load and Efficiency. Program of the US Department of Energy.
Energy Policy Act (1975). Electric Motor Regulations.
Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (2013). Accessed on February 2018
Frazier, R.S., Taghvaeian, S., Handa, D. (2017) Measuring Depth to Groundwater in
Irrigation Wells. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet BAE-1583.
Divya Handa
Graduate Research Assistant
Saleh Taghvaeian
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Water Resources
R. Scott Frazier
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist,
Energy Management