11-28: Electric Motors 101: What You Need To Know

Electric motors are used extensively on cooling towers. The most obvious application is the fan drive motor, but multiple pump motors are used on every tower as well. Tower manufacturers or end users are tasked with selecting the proper motor, but may not have the understanding they need of different motor types, features, etc. This paper offers an introduction to motors including: terminology often used by motor manufacturers, operating motors on adjustable speed drives, performance characteristics of various motor types, bearing sizing, insulation materials and vibration.