7 Most Common Motor Enclosure Types
Defined By NEMA Standards
Important role of enclosure
The enclosure of the motor must protect the windings, bearings, and other mechanical parts from
moisture, chemicals, mechanical damage and abrasion from grit.
NEMA standards MG1-1.25 through 1.27 define more than 20 types of enclosures under the
categories of open machines, totally enclosed machines, and machines with encapsulated or
sealed windings.
The 7 most common types of enclosures are:
1. Open Drip Proof (ODP)
Premium Efficient Super-E motor with Open Drip Proof
(ODP) construction by BALDOR
Allows air to circulate through the windings for cooling, but prevent drops of liquid from falling
into motor within a 15 degree angle from vertical. Typically used for indoor applications in
relatively clean, dry locations.
2. Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC)
Weg NEMA Premium Efficiency - Three Phase TEFC
Motors
Prevents the free exchange of air between the inside and outside of the frame, but does not make
the frame completely air tight. A fan is attached to the shaft and pushes air over the frame during
its operation to help in the cooling process.
The ribbed frame is designed to increase the surface area for cooling purposes.
The TEFC style enclosure is the most versatile of all. It is used on pumps,
fans, compressors, general industrial belt drive and direct connected equipment.
Total Enclosed Fan Cooled vs Open Drip Proof (TEFC vs ODP)
3. Totally Enclosed Non-Ventilated (TENV)
DAYTON DC Motor, PM, TENV, 1/3 HP, 1800 rpm,
24VDC
Similar to a TEFC, but has no cooling fan and relies on convention for cooling. No vent
openings, tightly enclosed to prevent the free exchange of air, but not airtight.
These are suitable for uses which are exposed to dirt or dampness, but not very moist or
hazardous (explosive) locations.
4. Totally Enclosed Air Over (TEAO)
US Motors - Refrigeration Duty TEAO Motor, 1/2 HP,
3-Phase, 1140 RPM Motor
Dust-tight fan and blower duty motors designed for shaft mounted fans or belt driven fans. The
motor must be mounted within the airflow of the fan.
5. Totally Enclosed Wash down (TEWD)
Baldor's Washdown Duty Motor for food processing,
packaging, pharmaceuticals, or applications where motors are regularly exposed to high pressure
wash down.
Designed to withstand high pressure wash-downs or other high humidity or wet environments.
Available on TEAO, TEFC and ENV enclosures totally enclosed, hostile and severe environment
motors:
Designed for use in extremely moist or chemical environments, but not for hazardous
locations.
6. Explosion-proof enclosures (EXPL)
SIEMENS's explosion proof motor for hazardous
environments, such as in chemical plants, the oil industry, in gas works, in wood and plastic
processing industry or in agriculture.
The explosion proof motor is a totally enclosed machine and is designed to withstand an
explosion of specified gas or vapor inside the motor casing and prevent the ignition outside the
motor by sparks, flashing or explosion.
These motors are designed for specific hazardous purposes, such as atmospheres containing
gases or hazardous dusts. For safe operation, the maximum motor operating temperature must be
below the ignition temperature of surrounding gases or vapors.
Explosion proof motors are designed, manufactured and tested under the rigid requirements of
the Underwriters Laboratories.
7. Hazardous Location (HAZ)
Motor 3-Phase, 5 HP - to Power Fans,
Blowers, Pumps or Air Compressors in Areas That Meet the National Electrical Code for
Hazardous Locations
Hazardous location motor applications are classified by the type of hazardous environment
present, the characteristics of the specific material creating the hazard, the probability of
exposure to the environment, and the maximum temperature level that is considered safe for the
substance creating the hazard.
The format used to define this information is a class, group, division and temperature
code structure as defined by the National Electric Code (NFPA-70).
The following hazardous locations are defined:
1) CLASS I
Group A: Acetylene
Group B: Butadiene, ethylene oxide, hydrogen, propylene oxide, manufactured gases
containing more than 30ydrogen by volume.
Group C: Acetaldehyde, cyclopropane, diethyl ether, ethylene.
Group D: Acetone, acrylonitrile, ammonia, benzene, butane, ethanol, ethylene
dichloride, gasoline, hexane, isoprene, methane (natural gas), methanol, naphtha,
propane, propylene, styrene, toluene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, xylene.
2) CLASS II
Group E: Aluminum, magnesium, and other metal dusts withsimilar characteristics.
Group F: Carbon black, coke or coaldust.
Group G: Flour, starch orgrain dust.
3) CLASS III
Easily ignitable fibers,such asrayon, cotton, sisal, hemp, cocoa fiber, oakum, excelsior
and other materials of similar nature.
The NEMA enclosure description is similar to the IEC Index of Protection (IP) code.
The NEMA designations are more descriptive and general, whereas the IEC IP codes are
more precise and narrowly defined by a 2-digit code, with the first digit defining how well
protected the motor is from solid objects and the second digit describing how well protected the
motor is from moisture.
For example, a NEMA OpenDrip Proof (ODP) motor corresponds to an IP22 and a NEMA
Totally Enclosed motor corresponds to an IP54, a NEMA WeatherProof motor to an IP45,
and a NEMA Wash-Down motor toan IP55.
Reference: Understanding Motor Nameplate Information: NEMA vs. IEC Standards
Continuing Education and Development, Inc.
Enclosure
The enclosure consists of a frame (or yoke) and two end brackets (or bearing
housings).
A motor's enclosure not only holds the motor's components together, it also protects
the internal components from moisture and containments. The degree of protection
depends on the enclosure type. In addition, the type of enclosure affects the motor's
cooling. There are two categories of enclosures as follows:
Open Enclosure.
Totally enclosed Enclosure.
Open and Enclosed Types
A- Open Enclosure
open drip proof (ODP) enclosure
Open enclosures permit cooling air to flow through the motor. One type of open
enclosure is the open drip proof (ODP) enclosure. This enclosure has vents that allow
for air flow. Fan blades attached to the rotor move air through the motor when the
rotor is turning. The vents are positioned so that liquids and solids falling from above
at angles up to 15 from vertical cannot enter the interior of the motor when the
motor is mounted on a horizontal surface. When the motor is mounted on a vertical
surface, such as a wall or panel, a special cover may be needed. ODP enclosures
should be used in environments free from contaminates.
B- Totally enclosed Enclosure
This category will include the following three types:
Totally Enclosed Non-Ventilated Enclosure.
Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled Enclosure.
Explosion-Proof Enclosure.
a- Totally Enclosed Non-Ventilated Enclosure (TENV)
Totally Enclosed Non-Ventilated Enclosure (TENV)
In some applications, the air surrounding the motor contains corrosive or harmful
elements which can damage the internal parts of a motor. A totally enclosed nonventilated (TENV) motor enclosure limits the flow of air into the motor, but is not
airtight. However, a seal at the point where the shaft passes through the housing
prevents water, dust, and other foreign matter from entering the motor along the
shaft.
Most TENV motors are fractional horsepower. However, integral horsepower TENV
motors are used for special applications. The absence of ventilating openings means
that all the heat from inside the motor must dissipate through the enclosure by
conduction. These larger horsepower TENV motors have an enclosure that is heavily
ribbed to help dissipate heat more quickly. TENV motors can be used indoors or
outdoors.
b- Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled Enclosure (TEFC)
Totally Enclosed Fan-Cooled Enclosure (TEFC)
A totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) motor is similar to a TENV motor, but has an
external fan mounted opposite the drive end of the motor. The fan blows air over the
motor's exterior for additional cooling. The fan is covered by a shroud to prevent
anyone from touching it. TEFC motors can be used in dirty, moist, or mildly corrosive
environments.
c- Explosion-Proof Enclosure (XP)
Explosion-Proof Enclosure (XP)
Hazardous duty applications are commonly found in chemical processing,
mining, foundry, pulp and paper, waste management, and petrochemical
industries. In these applications, motors have to comply with the strictest
safety standards for the protection of life, machines and the environment. This
often requires use of explosion proof (XP) motors.
An XP motor is similar in appearance to a TEFC motor, however, most XP
enclosures are cast iron.
Division I locations normally have hazardous materials present in the
atmosphere.
Division II locations may have hazardous material present in the atmosphere
under abnormal conditions.
Locations defined as hazardous, are further defined by the class and group of
hazard. For example,
- Class I, Groups A through D have gases or vapors present.
- Class II, Groups E, F, and G have flammable dust, such as coke or grain dust.
- Class III is not divided into groups. This class involves ignitable fibers and lint.
