How do you read a motor nameplate?

How do you read a motor nameplate?

• A. It lists the manufacturer and serial number.
• B. It lists voltage, phase, horsepower, full-load amps, speed (RPM), efficiency, service factor, and enclosure type.
• C. It lists warranty information.
• D. It lists the color and weight.

Answer: (B)

Reading a motor nameplate gives you the essential electrical and mechanical ratings you need to install and run the motor safely. The information shown—voltage and phase, horsepower, full-load amps, speed (RPM), efficiency, service factor, and enclosure type—tells you exactly what the motor is designed to do and what electrical and cooling requirements it has. With voltage and phase you know what power supply and wiring are appropriate; horsepower and RPM indicate the mechanical load and speed; full-load amps show how much current the motor will draw and help you size conductors and protective devices; efficiency affects running power and heat byhow much energy is converted to useful work versus lost as heat; service factor tells you how much overload the motor can handle without damage; and enclosure type informs cooling and environmental suitability. That combination of data is what you rely on to correctly select, install, and operate the motor. The other items—manufacturer and serial number, warranty information, or color and weight—may appear on the plate or in documentation, but they do not define the motor’s operating requirements or performance the way these ratings do.

Reading a motor nameplate gives you the essential electrical and mechanical ratings you need to install and run the motor safely. The information shown—voltage and phase, horsepower, full-load amps, speed (RPM), efficiency, service factor, and enclosure type—tells you exactly what the motor is designed to do and what electrical and cooling requirements it has. With voltage and phase you know what power supply and wiring are appropriate; horsepower and RPM indicate the mechanical load and speed; full-load amps show how much current the motor will draw and help you size conductors and protective devices; efficiency affects running power and heat byhow much energy is converted to useful work versus lost as heat; service factor tells you how much overload the motor can handle without damage; and enclosure type informs cooling and environmental suitability. That combination of data is what you rely on to correctly select, install, and operate the motor. The other items—manufacturer and serial number, warranty information, or color and weight—may appear on the plate or in documentation, but they do not define the motor’s operating requirements or performance the way these ratings do.