Integral motor succeeds in harsh environment

Integral motors, a new breed of ac variable speed motors that embed drive electronics in the motor housing, are enduring harsh environments. Tony Carr, electrical engineer at Blue Circle Cement, says ABB Motors’ design for its integral motor is best suited for his cement plant because the drive electronics are fitted at the motor’s nondrive end—where they are cooled by the motor fan. “Other variable-speed motor manufacturers fit the electronics’ housing on top of the motor, but because they are in a dusty environment here, I thought it important to have a good throughput of air to ensure the apertures for air flow do not become blocked and cause the electronics to overheat,” says Mr. Carr.

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