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2.1. Power Rating
 The size and rating of motor for any particular service is governed by
the following two factors:
a) its maximum temperature rise under given load conditions and
b) the maximum torque required.
It is common to find that the maximum temperature rise usually
coincides with the requirement of maximum torque as well.
 The maximum permissible temperature rise is 40 𝐶 for class-A
insulation whereas it is 50 𝐶 for class – B insulation.
 This temperature rise depends on whether the motor has to run
continuously, intermittently or on variable load.
 Different ratings for electrical motors are as under:

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2.1.Power Rating
1. Continuous Rating. It is based on the maximum load which a motor can
deliver for an indefinite period without its temperature exceeding the specified
limits. At the same time, the motor should be able to take 25% overload for a
period of time not greater than two hours under the same conditions.
2. Continuous Maximum Rating. It is the load capacity similar to the above but
without the overload capacity. Therefore, such motors are considered inferior to
the continuous-rated motors.
3. Intermittent Rating. It is based on the output which a motor can deliver for a
specified period, say one hour or ½ hour or ¼ hour without exceeding the
temperature rise

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2.1. Power Rating
Estimation of Motor Rating
 The main limitation for the operation of an electric motor is its temperature
rise.
 Thus motor rating is calculated on the basis of its average temperature rise.
 This average temperature rise depends on the average heating which itself is
proportional to the square of the current and the time for which the load
persists.
 The proportionality with the current can be extended to the load as given in
Eq. 2.1.
Average Heating ∝ 𝐿 𝑡 + 𝐿 𝑡 + ⋯ … + 𝐿 𝑡 (2.1)

 The size of motor is

  Average Heating   𝐿 𝑡 + 𝐿 𝑡 + ⋯…+ 𝐿 𝑡

𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 = =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡 + 𝑡 + ⋯…+ 𝑡

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2.1. Power Rating
Estimation of Motor Rating
 In general, we express the load on a motor based on its load cycle.
Usually, there are periods of no-load in the cycle.
 When motor runs on no-load, heat generated is small although heat
dissipation continues at the same rate as long as the machine is running.
 Consequently, there is a difference between the heating of a motor
running at no-load and when at rest.
 In America is common practice to consider the period at rest as one –
third while calculating the size of motor. This leads to a higher motor
rating but one that is advantageous and safe.

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2.2. Estimation of Motor Rating
Example 2.1
An electric motor operates at full-load of 100 KW for 10 minutes, at ¾ full load for the next 10
minutes and at ½ load for next 20 minutes, no-load for the next 20 minutes and this cycle repeats
continuously. Find the continuous rating of the suitable motor.
Solution

  Average Heating
𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

  100 × 10 + 75 × 10 + 50 × 20 + 0 × 20
= = 𝟔𝟏𝒌𝑾
10 + 10 + 20 + 20
According to American practice, we will consider the period of rest as (20/3) minutes. In that case, the
motors size is

  100 × 10 + 75 × 10 + 50 × 20 + 0 × 20
= 𝟔𝟔𝒌𝑾
20
10 + 10 + 20 + ( )
3

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2.2. Estimation of Motor Rating
Example 2.2
A certain motor has to perform the following duty cycle:
100 KW for 10 minutes No-load for 5 minutes
50 KW for 8 minutes No-load for 4 minutes
The duty cycle is repeated indefinitely. Draw the curve for the load cycle. Assuming
that the heating is proportional to the square of the load, determine suitable size of a
continuously-rated motor.
Solution.
As explained above, heating is proportional to
the square of the current and hence, to the
square of the load.
𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 continuously − rated motor =
  × ×
= 𝟔𝟔. 𝟔𝟕 𝒌𝑾
Hence, the motor of 70 KW would be adequate.
The curve of the load cycle is shown in Fig. 2.1 Fig. 2.1 Load cycle curve for Example 2.2.

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor

Whenever the temperature of a machine rises, the generated heat is

stored in body (according to the heat capacity of the body) and the
rest is dissipated to the cooling medium depending upon the
temperature difference.
This is called as unstable or transient situation.
 In this case, the rate of heat generation in motor is proportional to
the rate of heat absorption by the motor and rate of heat dissipation
from the cooling surface.

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor

On the other hand, if the temperature of the machine

remains constant i.e. it doesn’t rise, then no further
storage of heat takes place and all the heat generated
must be dissipated.
So rate of heat generation in motor equals rate of heat
dissipation from the cooling surface. This is called a
stable situation.

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor

2.3.1. Equation for Heating of Motor

Let,
W →Heat generated in motor due to power loss in watts.
G →Weight of motor (kg)
S →Average specific heat in (Watt - Sec.) to raise the temperature of unit weight
through 1°C.
G × S→Heat required to raise the temperature of motor through 1°C (Watt - Sec.)
𝜃 →Temperature rise above cooling medium in °C.
𝜃 →Final temperature rise in °C.
A →Cooling surface area of motor.
𝜆 →Rate of heat dissipation from the cooling surface.
[(Watts/Unit area/°C rise in temperature.) above cooling medium]
A 𝜆 →Rate of heat dissipation in Watts /°C rise in temperature for a motor.

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor

2.3.1. Equation for Heating of Motor

Assumptions
1. Loss ‘W’ remains constant during temperature rise.
2. Heat dissipation is proportional to the temperature
difference between motor and cooling medium.
3. Temperature of cooling medium remains constant.
{Rate of heat generation in motor}
= {Rate of heat absorption by the motor} + {Rate of heat
dissipation from cooling surface}

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor

2.3.1. Equation for Heating of Motor

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor

2.3.1. Equation for Heating of Motor

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor

2.3.2. Heating Time Constant

Heating time constant of motor is defined as the time required to heat up the motor
up to 0.633 times its final temperature rise.

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
2.3.3. Equation for Cooling of Motor or Temperature Fall
 If rate of heat generation is less than rate of heat dissipation, cooling will
take place.
 Therefore, {Rate of heat generation in motor}+{Rate of heat absorption by
motor}={Rate of heat dissipation from cooling surface}

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
2.3.3. Equation for Cooling of Motor or Temperature Fall

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
2.3.3. Equation for Cooling of Motor or Temperature Fall

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
2.3.3. Equation for Cooling of Motor or Temperature Fall
2.3.4. Cooling Time Constant
 Cooling time constant is defined as the time required to cool machine down to
0.368 times the initial temperature rise above ambient temperature.

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
2.3.5 Heating and Cooling Curves
(a) Motor continuously worked on Full Load.
 Maximum permissible temperature rise.
 Motor reaches final temperature rise and then cooling is carried out to ambient
temperature.

Fig.2.2

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
2.3.5 Heating and Cooling Curves
(b) Motor Run for short time

Fig.2.3

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
2.3.5 Heating and Cooling Curves
(c) Cooling period not sufficient to cool down the motor to its ambient
temperature.

Fig.2.4
NB: For intermittent loads, a motor of smaller rating can be used without exceeding
maximum permissible temperature rise.

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
Example 2.3
A 40 KW motor when run continuously on full load, attains a temperature of 35 𝐶, above
the surrounding air. Its heating time constant is 90 min. What would be the 1/2 hour rating
of the motor for this temperature rise? Assume that the machine cools down completely
between each load period and that the losses are proportional to square of the load,

Solution

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
Example 2.4
Determine the one - hour rating of a 15 H.P. motor having heating time constant of 2 hours.
The motor attains the temperature rise of 40 𝐶 on continuous run at full load. Assume that
the losses are proportional to square of the load and the motor is allowed to cool down to
the ambient temperature before being loaded again.

Solution

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
Example 2.5
Calculate the maximum overload that can be carried by a 20 KW output motor, if the
temperature rise is not to exceed 50 𝐶 after one hour on overload. The temperature rise on
full load, after 1 hour is 30 𝐶 and after 2 hours is 40 𝐶. Assume losses proportional to
square of load.
Solution

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2.3. Heating or Temperature Rise and Cooling or Temperature Fall of Motor
Exercise
a) State three assumptions made when deriving the expressions for temperature rise of an
electric machine.
b) A constant speed motor has the following duty cycle:
-load rising linearly from 200kW to 500kW for 4 minutes
- uniform load of 400kW for 2 minutes
- load reduced linearly from 400kW to 0kW in 3 minutes
-motor remains idle for 4 minutes.
i) Sketch the load-cycle graph;
ii) Determine the size of the continuously rated motor suitable for the duty cycle stated.
c) A totally enclosed motor has a temperature of 20 𝐶 after half an hour and 35 𝐶 after 1
hour on full load. Determine the motor’s:
i) thermal time constant
ii) final temperature rise

END OF CHAPTER
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