According to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, technical protective measures should be used to reduce risks that cannot be avoided through safe design measures. These technical protective measures include safety devices such as door locks, covers, light curtains, and other equipment that monitors the machine movements. When the safety device controls and external device, such as […]
AC Motors
What machine safety functions address speed, and when are they used?
The Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC states that when a machine manufacturer is unable to eliminate the risks of potential hazardous situations (for example, mechanical hazards such as crushing or cutting) through safe design methods, the next step is to reduce the risks through technical protective measures. These technical measures include protective devices, such as door locks […]
New asynchronous motors from NORD feature optimized design for improved performance
NORD’s newly redesigned 100 frame motors are the first step in updating their asynchronous motor portfolio with an optimized electrical, mechanical, and visual design. The new 3 and 4 hp premium efficient motors offer a simplified assembly including the elimination of a copper rotor as the motors produce the same energy efficiency without it. This […]
New general-purpose, harsh-duty ac motors from AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added a host of new motors from Regal Rexnord to its existing portfolio, including two new series of Marathon motors and Leeson specialty motors. The new Marathon Globetrotter motors are high-quality 3-phase general-purpose motors that can be controlled by an inverter and are rated up to 200 hp. Globetrotter motors are offered in […]
ABB introduces the third generation of Baldor-Reliance RPM AC motors
Baldor-Reliance Generation 3 RPM AC motors deliver 1 to 1,750 hp, with customizable speed ranges in nearly any enclosure type. The motors are designed to handle the most demanding applications in industries such as chemical, oil and gas; plastics; HVAC; energy; forest products; metals and industrial automation. RPM AC motors are optimized for adjustable frequency […]
What are harmonics and how do they affect motion control systems?
Harmonics are voltages or currents caused by non-linear loads on a power supply. Harmonic frequencies occur at integer multiples of a fundamental frequency and are superimposed on the fundamental voltage or current waveform, creating a distorted waveform. Harmonics are classified first by their order, or the integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. For example, for […]
Updated MEPS: Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 for motors and drives takes effect in July 2021
In 2011, the EU implemented minimum efficiency performance standards (MEPS) for electric motors used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications with Commission Regulation (EC) 640/2009, which was implemented in three stages through 2017, and its amendment Regulation (EU) 4/2014. In October 2019, Regulation (EC) 640/2009 was replaced with Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1781, which outlines updated efficiency […]
ABB expands severe duty motor line with Baldor-Reliance Severe Duty XT motor
The Baldor-Reliance Severe Duty XT motor is a true severe duty motor that bridges the gap between the ABB’s Baldor-Reliance General Purpose and XEX premium severe duty motor lines. “When it comes to performance, the Severe Duty XT is a versatile option for what the industry expects as severe duty,” said Matt Rodebush, ABB’s NEMA […]
What’s the difference between NEMA and IEC motor starters?
A motor starter is a device that controls power to a motor for starting, stopping, reversing, and in some cases, protecting the motor from overload current. Although sometimes referred to as contactors, motor starters actually consist of a contactor and a thermal overload relay. The contactor is an electromechanical device based on a coil and […]
What are eddy currents and how do they affect motor performance?
One of the electromagnetic principles that governs the operation of an electric motor is Faraday’s law, which states that when the magnetic environment of a coil of wire is changed — whether by moving the magnet and coil relative to each other or by changing the magnetic field — a voltage, or electromotive force (EMF), will […]
