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Motor Service Factor (SF) Defined by NEMA: Permissible Horsepower Loading

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Edison Estrella

Motor Service Factor (SF) is defined by NEMA as a multiplier that indicates the percentage of overloading a motor can handle for short periods. An SF of 1.15 means a 10hp motor can provide 11.5hp temporarily. It allows for cooler windings, protects against heat rises, and offsets low voltages. NEMA cautions not to rely on SF for continuous overloading and that it depends on rated voltage and conditions.

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Motor Service Factor (SF) Defined by NEMA: Permissible Horsepower Loading

Uploaded by

Edison Estrella
56 views2 pages
Motor Service Factor (SF) is defined by NEMA as a multiplier that indicates the percentage of overloading a motor can handle for short periods. An SF of 1.15 means a 10hp motor can provide 11.5hp temporarily. It allows for cooler windings, protects against heat rises, and offsets low voltages. NEMA cautions not to rely on SF for continuous overloading and that it depends on rated voltage and conditions.

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3.5 Motor_Service_Factor_SF_Defined_By_NEMA

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Motor Service Factor (SF) is defined by NEMA as a multiplier that indicates the percentage of overloading a motor can handle for short periods. An SF of 1.15 means a 10hp motor can provide 11.5hp temporarily. It allows for cooler windings, protects against heat rises, and offsets low voltages. NEMA cautions not to rely on SF for continuous overloading and that it depends on rated voltage and conditions.

Copyright:

© All Rights Reserved
Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
56 views2 pages

Motor Service Factor (SF) Defined by NEMA: Permissible Horsepower Loading

Uploaded by

Edison Estrella
Motor Service Factor (SF) is defined by NEMA as a multiplier that indicates the percentage of overloading a motor can handle for short periods. An SF of 1.15 means a 10hp motor can provide 11.5hp temporarily. It allows for cooler windings, protects against heat rises, and offsets low voltages. NEMA cautions not to rely on SF for continuous overloading and that it depends on rated voltage and conditions.

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e le ct rical-e ngine e ring-po rt al.co m http://electrical-engineering-po rtal.

co m/mo to r-service-facto r-sf-defined-by-nema

Motor Service Factor (SF) Defined By NEMA


Edvard

Mo to r Se rvic e Fac to r (SF) De fine d By NEMA

Permissible horsepower loading


Motor Service Factor (SF) is the percentage of overloading the motor can handle f or short periods when
operating normally within the correct voltage tolerances. T his is practical as it gives you some ‘fudge‘ in
estimating horsepower needs and actual running horsepower requirements.

It also allows f or cooler winding temperatures at rated load, protects against intermittent heat rises, and
helps to of f set low or unbalanced line voltages.

For example, the standard SF f or open drip-proof (ODP)


motors is 1.15. T his means that a 10-hp motor with a 1.15 SF
could provide 11.5 hp when required f or short-term use. Some
f ractional horsepower motors have higher service f actors,
such as 1.25, 1.35, and even 1.50.

NEMA def ines service f actor as a multiplier, when applied to


the rated horsepower, indicates a permissible horsepower
loading, which may be carried under the conditions specif ied
f or the service f actor at rated voltage and f requency.
BALDO R O p e n Drip Pro o f C-Fac e Fo o t Mo unte d
This service factor can be used for the following: mo to r - 1/3Hp -100Hp NEMA 56C-404TC

1. To accommodate inaccuracy in predicting intermittent

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system horsepower needs.
2. To lengthen insulation lif e by lowering the winding temperature at rated load.
3. To handle intermittent or occasional overloads.
4. To allow occasionally f or ambient above 40°C.
5. To compensate f or low or unbalanced supply voltages.

NEMA does add some cautions, however, when discussing the service factor:

1. Operation at service f actor load f or extended periods will usually reduce the motor speed, lif e and
ef f iciency.
2. Motors may not provide adequate starting and pull-out torques, and incorrect starter/overload sizing
is possible. T his in turn af f ects the overall lif e span of the motor.
3. Do not rely on the service f actor capability to carry the load on a continuous basis.
4. T he service f actor was established f or operation at rated voltage, f requency, ambient and sea level
conditions.

Most motors have a duty factor of 1.15 f or open motors and 1.0 f or totally closed motors.

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Traditionally, totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) motors had an SF of 1.0, but most manuf acturers now
of f er T EFC motors with service f actors of 1.15, the same as on ODP motors. Most hazardous location
motors are made with an SF of 1.0, but some specialized units are available f or Class I applications with a
service f actor of 1.15.

The service factor is required to appear on the nameplate only if it is higher than 1.0.

Reference: Understanding Motor Nameplate Information: NEMA vs. IEC Standards – Continuing Education
and Development, Inc.

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