Electric gear motors are the backbone of modern industry. A lot of factors need to be considered before an electric gear motor is used for a specific application, one of them being its durability. However, durability is a rather vague metric. To counter this, an Ingress Protection rating or IP rating was devised. What exactly is IP rating, and how does it serve in the selection of an AC electric motor? This blog aims to answer these questions.
What Is An IP Rating?
An IP rating is a way to standardize the quality of any electric equipment, including gear motors, by their ability to withstand moisture, dust, sand and other foreign objects. It is usually denoted by the word IP, followed by two numbers. The first number ranges from 0 to 6 and signifies the level of protection against more solid particles. The second number ranges from 0 to 9 and signifies the level of protection against liquids, especially moisture.
This serves a key purpose in the following ways:
Provide Details On Protection
The IP rating provides more details on how the motor is protected from its operating environment. For instance, certain IP ratings signify that an electric gear motor has more protection against water, whereas others are more geared toward dust and foreign particles. Thus, on the basis of the rating, one can make an informed choice to maximize the lifespan of an AC electric motor.
Improved Safety
The malfunctioning of an electric gear motor is not just a performance issue, but it can also raise questions on safety. Electrical short circuits, shocks and fires are the norm when a motor fails. So finding the motor with the right IP rating is critical from a safety standpoint.
Therefore, when selecting an AC electric motor for the next project, keep the IP rating in mind as it plays a major role in performance, maintenance and safety.
For more details on electric gear motors, reach out to us at Bauer GMC. As the leading distributor of Bauer gear motors in the country, we offer expert advice on motor selection, as well as the service to modify any existing gear motor. Contact us at 905-814-5152 today for more details.