AC Motors by Voltage
An AC motor should be selected to match the available supply voltage. Running a motor at its nominal voltage ensures the most efficient operation and optimal life expectancy. We offer AC Motors in a wide range of voltages. In addition to knowing the voltage you need, there are additional factors to understand when looking at AC motor voltage.
Range of Options
- Our motors range from 115V to 690V
Same Motor, Different Voltage
When choosing a motor by voltage, a rating will often state two values separated by a forward slash. Depending on wiring, either of these voltages may be used to power the motor.
Example:
An AC motor’s rated voltage is listed as 208-230/460V.
- If wired one way, this motor can run on any voltage between 208V and 230V.
- If wired another way, the motor will run on 460V.
Voltage on the Nameplate
Voltage and Amperage (or Current)
Volts and Amps share an inverse relationship. The higher your voltage, the lower your current (amps).
Example:
For an AC motor that can be wired for either 208 or 460 volts. At 230, the rated current is 7.26A. At 460, the rated current is halved to 3.63A.
Other Considerations
Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) RPM represents the speed of the motor. The rated RPM is specific to the frequency stated on the motor’s nameplate, and a different frequency will produce different results.
Horsepower (HP) Horsepower is a measure of the rate at which mechanical energy is expended and corresponds to the motor’s RPM. For your application, this means how much work is completed by the motor (such as how much material it can move and at what speed).
Frame The size of the actual frame of a given frame size may vary slightly between manufacturers, but a frame size notation is a universal reference to shaft diameter, shaft length, and mounting footprint. Given motors from two different manufacturers with the same state frame size, those three dimensions will remain consistent.
