Motor Terminology
L
Laminations:
The steel portion of the rotor and stator cores made up of a series of thin
laminations (sheets) which are stacked and fastened together by cleats, rivets
or welds. Laminations are used instead of a solid piece in order to reduce
eddy-current losses.
Large Motors:
Usually refers to AC motors in 5,000 series frames and above and to 500 series
frames and larger in DC.
Load:
The burden imposed on a motor by the driven machine. It is often stated as the
torque required to overcome the resistance of the machine it drives. Sometimes
"load" is synonymous with "required power."
Locked Rotor Current: Steady state current taken from the line with the rotor at standstill (at rated
voltage and frequency). This is the current seen when starting the motor and
load.
Locked Rotor Torque:
The minimum torque that a motor will develop at rest for all angular positions
of the rotor (with rated voltage applied at rated frequency).
Losses:
A motor converts electrical energy into a mechanical energy and in so doing,
encounters losses. These losses are all the energy that is put into a motor and
not transformed to usable power but are converted into heat causing the
temperature of the windings and other motor parts to rise.
Lubrication:
In order to reduce wear and avoid overheating certain motor components require
lubricating (application of an oil or grease). The bearings are the major motor
component requiring lubrication (as per manufacturer's instructions). Excess
greasing can however damage the windings and internal switches, etc.