Frequently Asked Questions
Motor FAQ
Q. What frames and sizes of motors does Stainless Motors offer?
A. We offer stainless steel motors in sizes from 1/4HP to 50HP in TEFC (fan cooled) designs, and up to 700HP in water cooled designs. Motors are available with speeds of 3500, 1750, 1160, and 850 RPM.
Q. Do you offer metric frame motors?
A. We offer IEC (metric) frame motors in sizes from 0.18kW to 22kW in any Hz/Voltage rating.
Q. Where are these motors made?
A. All of our products are engineered, manufactured, and supported at our plant in Rio Rancho (Albuquerque), NM, USA.
Q. Why can’t I find prices on the website?
A. Our highly trained sales staff will provide a price based on the specific requirements of your application.
Q. Do you offer custom motors?
A. We can provide custom feet, shaft, cable entry, volts/Hz, and other features to suit your special requirements.
Q. Do you offer DC motors?
A. No.
Q. Do your motors have encapsulated windings?
A. No. Other manufacturers encapsulate their windings to protect them from water. However, if water is inside the motor the shaft seal has been compromised and the bearings are going to fail. Our sealing technology is so advanced that we keep water out of the motor, thereby eliminating the need for encapsulation.
Q. What about condensation inside the motor?
A. Condensation will only occur if there is exchange of air allowing moisture to enter the motor. Our design prevents air exchange from occurring.
Q. What is your warranty period?
A. All of our products are covered by our limited 1-year warranty.
Q. If your design is superior, why don’t you offer a longer warranty period?
A. If one of our motors fails, we want to be involved in evaluating the application so we can recommend a solution. Simply replacing the motor will not solve the problem since there are unknown factors that contributed to the failure.
Q. Do you offer explosion proof motors?
A. We offer inverter duty XP motors for Class 1 and Class 2 hazardous locations in sizes up to 2HP at 1750 RPM and 3HP at 3500 RPM. Larger sizes will be available in late 2011.
Q. Are your motors available with brakes?
A. We can install spring loaded electro mechanical brakes with a manual release on our motors. The brake is housed in a stainless enclosure.
Q. Do you have a solution to a motor that mounts shaft-up allowing water to get inside past the shaft seal causing repeated failure?
A. We have special designs for a variety of mounting orientations, including shaft-up installation. Our shaft-up design includes a custom endbell and shaft umbrella that sheds the water right off the motor so it never contacts the seal.
Q. Can your motors operate in a freezer?
A. Our Freezer Duty motors include custom features for operation at sub-freezing temperatures.
Q. Are your motors submersible?
A. We have Submersion Duty (IP68) motors designed to operate under water.
Q. Can your motors be serviced at any motor repair facility?
A. Due to the unique construction of our motors, we recommend they be returned to us if they ever need service.
Q. Do you have motors for high ambient temperature applications?
A. We offer motors with Class H insulation for high temperature installations, as well as custom cooling options.
Q. Do you offer motors in aluminum or painted steel?
A. No, only in stainless steel.
Q. What grade of stainless are your motors made of?
A. Our standard grade is Type 304 for all outer surfaces, and 17-4 H1150 for the shaft. We can also provide motors made of all Type 316 stainless.
Q. Are your motors inverter duty?
A. All of our motors are inverter duty.
Q. What is your freight policy?
A. All products ship FOB our plant in Rio Rancho, NM .
Q. What is the Service Factor of your motors?
A. Most of our motors have a 1.15 S.F.
Q. Do your motors meet the latest efficiency standards?
A. All of our motors meet the latest efficiency criteria of EISA 2007 that took effect in December of 2010. IEC (metric) frame motors meet the requirements of IE3 efficiency class.
Q. What frames and sizes do you have?
A. We offer stainless steel motors in sizes from 1/4HP to 50HP in TEFC (fan cooled) designs, and up to 700HP in water cooled designs. They’re available with speeds of 3500, 1750, 1160, and 850 RPM.
Q. Do you have metric frame motors?
A. We offer IEC (metric) frame motors in sizes from 0.18kW to 22kW in any Hz/Voltage rating.
Q. Where are they made?
A. All of our products are engineered, manufactured, and supported at our plant in Rio Rancho (Albuquerque), NM, USA.
Q. Why can’t I find prices on the website?
A. Our highly trained sales staff will provide a price based on the specific requirements of your application.
Q. Can you customize?
A. We can provide custom features to suit your special requirements.
Q. Do you have DC motors?
A. No.
Q. Do your motors have encapsulated windings?
A. No. Other manufacturers encapsulate their windings to protect them from water. However, if water is inside the motor the shaft seal has been compromised and the bearings are going to fail. Our sealing technology is so advanced that we keep water out of the motor, thereby eliminating the need for encapsulation.
Q. What about condensation inside the motor?
A. Condensation will only occur if there is exchange of air allowing moisture to enter the motor. Our design prevents air exchange from occurring.
Q. What is your warranty period?
A. All of our products are covered by a limited 1-year warranty.
Q. If your design is superior, why don’t you offer a longer warranty period?
A. If one of our motors fails, we want to be involved in evaluating the application so we can recommend a solution. Simply replacing the motor will not solve the problem since there are unknown factors that contributed to the failure.
Q. Do you sell explosion proof motors?
A. We offer inverter duty XP motors for Class 1 and Class 2 hazardous locations in sizes up to 5HP.
Q. Are they available with brakes?
A. We can install spring loaded electro mechanical brakes with a manual release. The brake is housed in a stainless enclosure.
Q. Do you have a solution to a motor that mounts shaft-up allowing water to get inside past the shaft seal causing repeated failure?
A. We have special designs for a variety of mounting orientations, including shaft-up installation. Our shaft-up design includes a custom endbell and shaft umbrella that sheds the water right off the motor so it never contacts the seal.
Q. Can they operate in a freezer?
A. Our Freezer Duty motors include custom features for operation at sub-freezing temperatures.
Q. Are they submersible?
A. We have Submersion Duty (IP68) motors designed to operate under water.
Q. Can they be serviced at any motor repair facility?
A. Due to their unique construction, we recommend they be returned to us if they ever need service.
Q. Do you have motors for high ambient temperature applications?
A. We use Class H insulation for high temperature installations, as well as custom cooling options.
Q. Do you sell motors in aluminum or painted steel?
A. No, only in stainless steel. Many plants use painted cast steel motors. What happens is that after washing them continuously, the paint actually chips off and gets into the food during processing. Moreover, if the equipment can’t be washed easily or with high pressure, high temperature solutions, then there is risk of food contamination from bacteria or debris that is not properly cleaned off of the equipment and contaminates the next food processing run. Stainless steel motors are very sanitary, have an easy to clean smooth surface, look much nicer and, along with our innovations, is a safer motor to have on the equipment.
Q. What grade of stainless are you using?
A. Our standard grade is Type 304 for all outer surfaces, and 17-4 H1150 for the shaft. We can also provide motors made of all Type 316 stainless.
Q. Are they inverter duty?
A. All of our motors are inverter duty.
Q. What is your freight policy?
A. All products ship FOB our plant in Rio Rancho, NM .
Q. What is the Service Factor of your motors?
A. Most of our motors have a 1.15 S.F.
Q. Do they meet the latest efficiency standards?
A. All of our motors meet the latest efficiency criteria of EISA 2007 that took effect in December of 2010. IEC (metric) frame motors meet the requirements of IE3 efficiency class.
Q. What purposes are they used in production?
A. We created five different series for use in a variety of industries:
• Pharmaceutical
• Food
• Energy Recovery, also known as Water Cooled
• Hazardous Location, also known as XP motors
• Marine electric
Q. Are they designed for washdown duty?
A. Yes, all of our stainless steel motors, gearmotors, couplings, and adapters meet the required specifications for washdown duty in each industry. The Food and Pharmaceutical Series washdown motors are sanitary and easy to clean for even the most severe washdown duty locations.
Our marine electric motors are able to withstand the rigorous salt water environments. We carefully craft each for washdown duty.
We are also the only UL approved manufacturer of washdown duty explosion proof motors.
Q. Can I have additional information?
A. We’re available to help you with information about our stainless steel motors and additional products. Please download the catalog or contact us. We’re dedicated to providing you the best service possible.
Gearmotor FAQ
Q. Do you offer helical gearmotors?
A. No, but we offer inline planetary gearmotors in sizes up to 30HP.
Q. Do you offer helical bevel gear reducers?
A. No, but we offer right angle worm drive, spiral bevel, and compound planetary/spiral bevel reducers.
Q. Do you offer worm drive gearmotors with the motor vertical above the reducer?
A. Yes, we have designs for all mounting orientations.
Q. Is the lubricant Food Grade (H1) rated?
A. Yes, the grease and oil we use are H1 rated.
Q. Do your worm drive reducers have a quill input or coupled input?
A. Both styles are available.
Q. Do you have helical gearmotors?
A. No, but we offer inline planetary gearmotors in sizes up to 30HP.
Q. Do you sell helical bevel gear reducers?
A. No, but we offer right angle worm drive, spiral bevel, and compound planetary/spiral bevel reducers.
Q. Do you offer worm drive gearmotors with the motor vertical above the reducer?
A. Yes, we have designs for all mounting orientations.
Q. Is the lubricant Food Grade (H1) rated?
A. Yes, the grease and oil we use are H1 rated.
Q. Do your worm drive reducers have a quill input or coupled input?
A. Both styles are available.
Q. What finish do you use on your gearmotors and reducers?
A. We provide a sanitary #4 finish on all surfaces of gearboxes and gearbox reducers
Q. How do I know which gearmotor to choose?
A. We have listed our complete line of gearmotors along with a description to make your selection easier. If you still have questions, please contact us and we will be glad to help you.
Additional Product Questions
Q. What kind of couplings and adapters do you sell?
A. We offer a variety of stainless steel couplings and adapters. They provide corrosion resistance and are ready for use in washdown locations. We have the Sureflex (S-flex) and the Paraflex (P-flex) style.
Q. What type of portable pump systems do you offer?
A. We provide complete stainless steel pump cart systems available in two-wheel and four-wheel designs. We customize each for your application and assemble to order.
If you don’t see your question on this page and would like to contact us, Stainless Motors, Inc. is dedicated to serving you and answering your questions.
