How to Select an AC Motor

In order to select the appropriate AC motor for your application, you'll need to determine basic specifications. Calculate the required load torque and oper

In order to select the appropriate AC motor for your application, you'll need to determine basic specifications. Calculate the required load torque and operating speed. Remember that induction and reversible motors cannot be adjusted; they require a gearhead. If this is required, select the appropriate gear ratio. Next determine frequency and power supply voltage for the motor. Typically, a three-phase AC motor is used in high power conversion applications, whereas a single-phase AC motor would be used in low-power conversion projects.

AC Motor Formulas

Wiring Your AC Motor

The following information is intended as a general guideline for wiring of the Anaheim Automation AC motor product line. Be aware that when you route power and signal wiring to a machine or system, radiated noise from the nearby relays, transformers, and other electronic devices can be inducted into the AC motor and encoder signals, input/output communications, and other sensitive low voltage signals, which can cause system faults.

WARNING - To avoid the possibility of electrical shock, perform all mounting and wiring of the AC motor prior to applying power. Once power is applied, connection terminals may have voltage present. Dangerous voltages are capable of causing injury or death when present in the AC motor system. Use great caution when handling, wiring, testing, and adjusting during installation, set-up, tuning, and operation. Do not make extreme adjustments or changes to the AC motor system parameters, which can cause mechanical vibration and result in failure and/or power loss. Once the AC motor system is wired, do not run the system by switching the power supply on/off directly. Frequent power on/off switching will cause accelerated wear and aging of the system components, which will reduce the lifetime of AC motor system.