What is the maximum temperature at which standard motors can be operated?
A – The life of the electrical insulation and of the lubricants are adversely affected by high temperatures. A generally accepted “rule of thumb” is that for every 10C increase in operating temperature, life is halved. NEMA standards normally limit the maximum ambient temperature to 40C. A probable life of approximately five years under normal operating conditions 8 hours/day, 5 days/week, (ambient temperature below 40C, and uniform rated load) can usually be expected. Due to the many variables, life can only be estimated before testing under actual operating conditions.
