Model SF160 from Taiwan-based Fukuta is a servomotor with class H insulation and IP54 protection.

Suppliers of industrial electric motors in mainland China and Taiwan are enhancing product performance. Specifically, units are being designed to operate efficiently in different environments to make them suitable for a variety of applications.

R&D efforts at most companies revolve around improving the insulation system's resistance to thermal aging and failure. Several are developing class F or H designs, or versions that can be operated at a maximum temperature of 155 or 180 C, respectively, to yield an average life of 20,000 hours.

Many suppliers are also providing their products with enclosures that can protect more effectively against the ingress of solid and liquid particles, which may affect performance. In addition, makers are developing explosion-resistant models that can be used even in environments where combustible or flammable materials are present.

In the mainland, Wolong Electric Group Co. Ltd has come out with induction motors that have class F or H insulation. Among these is a series with an IP44 protection rating that is designed for conveyor belts and other transport machinery.

The products comply with the domestic GB3836.1.2-83 standard on electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres. Models are available in 380, 660 and 1,140V versions.

Shanghai Yunkai International Trading Co. Ltd currently offers designs with class F insulation and an IP54 rating.

Models with explosion-resistant enclosures are scheduled for release in coming months. Units that can work at temperatures of 280 C or higher are also in the pipeline.

Dalian Dalmo Electric Motor Co. Ltd has a number of industrial motors with class F or H insulation. IP44 to IP56-rated designs are produced as well.

In addition, the company has developed a model that can be operated at temperatures higher than 280 C for more than 30 minutes. The product is designed particularly for applications where fire resistance is necessary.

Mindong Yanan Electrical Machine Co. Ltd, another mainland supplier, offers industrial motors with an aluminum, steel or cast-iron housings.

Aluminum models come with an IP55 rating, while steel designs have IP22 enclosures. The cast-iron series, on the other hand, includes IP44, IP54 and IP55 models.

Zhejiang Taizhou Wangye Power Co. Ltd's selection consists of designs that have an IP54 rating and class F insulation.

Among these is model Y2, a three-phase asynchronous motor available in 220, 380 and 660V versions. It comes with an aluminum or cast-iron structure.

In Taiwan, Fukuta Elec. & Mach. Co. Ltd offers servomotors with class H insulation. Some applications are iron and steel processing equipment and machines for injection molding, papermaking, printing and packing.

Several makers are incorporating thermal protectors in their designs to prevent overheating. Fukuta's models, for instance, have such devices.

Motors from Chao Kuang Yuan Industries Ltd are fitted with a mechanism that cuts off the flow of current automatically and stops operation when the working temperature reaches 80 C.

The line consists of units for industrial and residential fans that are 18 to 26 inches in size. Output power ranges from 60 to 300W.

Besides extending service life, many suppliers in Taiwan are increasing output power to expand their market reach.

Among the releases is a 300kW model from Fukuta for steel-processing equipment and other heavy-duty machines.

Turdan Industry Co. Ltd has launched industrial motors with output power between 1,000 and 3,000W in 100 to 300A. The products feature rare-earth magnets.

Maxway Electric Industrial Co. Ltd is balancing power and safety considerations with its aim of keeping the size of motors compact.

The company's selection includes units that can be used in conveyor belts, medical equipment and food processing machines. Models are fitted with programmable logic controllers that regulate rotation speed and direction.