Electric motors insulation class

The common types of insulating materials in use for electric motors are E and B for small motors and F for medium sized and large ones. General industrial practice, however, is to limit the temperature to class B limits, even if class F insulation is used. 

Typically, polyester wire insulation is rated as Class 155. This insulation is frequently overcoated with nylon to provide a surface with good lubricity which is needed for application in highspeed coil winding. Magnet wire with this type of insulation is used in the manufacture of electric motors for nonhermetic applications. 

Main motors need starter overload and short circuit protection. High rupture fuses (HRC) will protect the motor against short circuit conditions, and will interrupt the electrical supply in milliseconds of the fault occurring. It is essential that fuses of this type are always fitted. Conventional overload protection, thermal or magnetic, can offer no protection to a motor with an extended acceleration time. Thermistor overload protection is the only true protection for a motor under these conditions. A thermistor is embedded in each of the motor s three windings and connected in series. The resistance of these thermistors is designed to increase rapidly at a set temperature, depending upon the insulation class of the motor. The thermistors are connected to an electronic amplifier control unit in the starter enclosure, and will trip the starter contacts when required. The device will not reset until the motor has sufficiently cooled. 

IEC60085 and IEC60034 part 1 describe the limitations placed on materials used inside motors (and other electrical equipment). Most electrical machines with air or gas as the cooling medium use Class B or F solid insulation material. Where the environment is harsh, and high ambient temperatures occur, then it is advisable to specify Class F insulation materials but with a restriction of Class B temperature rise. Such a specification will inherently increase the mean time to failure of the materials since they will be less stressed. 

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