How to Choose the Right Industrial Motor
A practical checklist for selecting voltage, power, speed, duty cycle, protection class and mounting before you request a quotation.
Choosing a motor is mostly about matching six parameters to the machine. Getting these right before you request a quote avoids a costly redesign later.
1. Supply voltage and frequency
Check the mains at the installation site: 220–240 V single-phase, 380–415 V three-phase at 50 Hz, 460 V at 60 Hz, or a DC bus such as 24 V / 48 V. A motor wound for 50 Hz can usually run at 60 Hz, but the speed and torque change — confirm with us.
2. Power and torque
Power (kW) is not the whole story. For conveyors, mixers and hoists, starting torque and the load's inertia matter more. If the load starts under weight, tell us — we may recommend a higher starting-torque design or a gear reducer.
3. Speed and poles
Synchronous speed is set by pole count and frequency: 2-pole ≈ 3000 rpm at 50 Hz, 4-pole ≈ 1500 rpm, 6-pole ≈ 1000 rpm. If you need a different output speed or much higher torque, pair the motor with a planetary, worm or right-angle gearbox, or use a variable frequency drive (VFD).
4. Duty cycle and environment
- S1 continuous for pumps, fans and conveyors; intermittent duty (S2–S6) for actuators and lifts.
- IP rating: IP44 for clean indoor use, IP55 for dusty or wash-down areas, IP65+ for outdoor or wet environments.
- Ambient temperature, altitude, corrosive atmosphere and explosion-proof requirements should be stated up front.
5. Mounting and shaft
Confirm the frame size and mounting arrangement (B3 foot, B5 flange, B14 face, B35 combined), shaft diameter and length, and whether a brake, encoder or forced-ventilation fan is needed. Custom shafts and flanges are available on OEM orders.
6. Efficiency and compliance
IE3 / IE4 efficiency classes reduce running cost on continuous-duty machines. For the EU market, confirm CE and RoHS; for other regions, tell us which certificates your customs authority expects and we will include them in the document pack.
Which motor family fits?
| Type | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Three-phase induction | Pumps, fans, compressors, general industrial drives |
| Single-phase induction | Light commercial equipment, appliances |
| BLDC | AGVs, automation, battery-powered equipment |
| Stepper / servo | Positioning, CNC, robotics |
| Gear motor | Conveyors, valves, low-speed high-torque drives |
Still unsure? Send us the load, speed, supply and mounting details and our engineers will recommend a model — see the ordering guide for how to start an inquiry.