White PaperDesign
The Engineer’s Guide to Choosing Gearmotors for Dirty and Wet Environments
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This whitepaper explores how to choose gearmotors for dirty and wet environments. Subject matter experts at Bodine Electric Company explain the standardized Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, identify what design tradeoffs are involved in achieving ingress protection, show how the motor design is validated for a specific IP rating, examine mistakes engineers sometimes make in selecting a gearmotor, and present real-world examples of gearmotors used in dirty and wet environments.
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Overview
The document titled "The Engineer’s Guide to Choosing Gearmotors for Dirty and Wet Environments" serves as a comprehensive resource for engineers and decision-makers involved in selecting gearmotors for challenging environments. It emphasizes that choosing the right gearmotor involves more than just technical specifications like voltage, speed, and torque; understanding the environmental conditions is equally critical.
One of the primary focuses of the guide is the Ingress Protection (IP) rating system, defined under the IEC standard 60529. The IP rating indicates how well a gearmotor can resist the ingress of solid particles and liquids. The first digit of the IP rating denotes protection against solids, while the second digit indicates resistance to liquids. For instance, an IP44 rating signifies protection against small objects and splashing water, whereas an IP69 rating offers complete dust protection and resistance to high-pressure, high-temperature water jets.
The document highlights common mistakes engineers make when selecting gearmotors, particularly underestimating the ingress risks associated with their applications. It stresses the importance of accurately understanding the term "washdown," which can vary among customers. For example, washing down food processing equipment with high-pressure water and chemicals requires a higher IP rating than simply rinsing a farm machine with a garden hose.
Additionally, the guide discusses the impact of extreme temperatures on gearmotor performance. High temperatures can affect lubrication within the gearbox, while low temperatures can cause lubricants to become viscous or solid, leading to motor stalling. The document advises engineers to anticipate the worst-case scenarios when selecting gearmotors and to consider additional protective measures, such as using covers, shrouds, and appropriate connectors.
Bodine Electric Company, the source of the guide, offers various gearmotor options tailored for different applications, along with custom variations to meet specific protection requirements. The company also provides support through application engineers and experienced sales representatives to assist customers in making informed choices.
In summary, this guide is an essential tool for engineers tasked with selecting gearmotors for dirty and wet environments, providing insights into IP ratings, environmental challenges, and best practices for ensuring optimal motor performance and longevity.