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7 Most Common Motor Enclosure Types Defined By NEMA Standards

P OST ED AU G 9 2013 BY E DVA R D IN A UT OM AT IO N , MOT OR W IT H 9 CO MM EN TS

7 Most Common Motor Enclosure Types Defined By NEMA Standards (on

photo: Louis Allis Pacemaker Premium NEMA motor louisallis.com)

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)
Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.

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)

Baldors 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)

SIEMENSs 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 aNEMA 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
Stan