AMPERE: A unit of intensity of electric current being produced in a conductor by the applied voltage.

FREQUENCY: The number of complete cycles per second of alternating current, e.g., 60 Hertz.

HORSEPOWER: The rate at which work is done. Ft is the result of the work done (stated in foot-pounds) divided by the time involved.

INERTIA: The property of physical matter to remain at rest unless acted on by some external force. Inertia usually concerns the driven load.

MOTOR EFFICIENCY: A measure of how effectively the motor turns electrical energy into mechanical energy. Motor efficiency is never 100% and is normally in the neighborhood of 85%.

POWER FACTOR: The ratio of the true power to the volt-amperes in an alternating current circuit or apparatus.

SERVICE FACTOR: A safety factor in some motors which allows the motor, when necessary, to deliver greater than rated horsepower.

SYNCHRONOUS SPEED & SLIP: the speed of an a-c motor at which the motor would operate if the rotor turned at the exact speed of the rotating magnetic field. However, in a-c induction motors, the rotor actually turns slightly slower. This difference is defined as slip and is expressed in percent of synchronous speed. Most induction motors have a slip of 1-3%.

TORQUE: that force which tends to produce torsion or rotation. In motors, it is considered to be the amount of force produced to turn the load, Tt is measured in lb.-ft.

VOLTAGE: a unit of electro-motive force. Ft is a force which, when applied to a conductor, will produce a current in the conductor.

Motor Terms Charts