Exhaust Fan Motor "Burning Up."

TwoBlocked

TwoBlocked

Senior Member
Location
Bradford County, PA
Occupation
Industrial Electrician
We have a client that complains about an exhaust fan motor that keeps "Burning Up" because of high ambient temp. It is in a gas compressor building above a large internal combustion engine. And yeah, it gets pretty toasty in there. I've reached out to a supplier, but wanted you fine folks' ideas, too.

The motor is a Baldor, 230V, single phase, 184T frame, 2 HP, 1750 RPM, Class B insulation, capacitor start, explosion proof. Don't know what sort of controller, yet. Might just be a breaker. I got looking on line for one with a higher insulation class, but can't find much. Seems there are few choices in single phase.

Sooo .... am looking for options if a single phase motor with a higher insulation class is not available. What do you guys think of:

Upping the motor/controller to 3 HP that would generate less heat
Installing a VFD so that a 3-ph motor with a higher insulation class can be used
Other options?
 
Verify the classification of the area. If it’s D2, you can likely use a 3 phase motor that’s not explosion-proof, giving you more motor options.
But I agree with others, a redesign of the ventilation system to get the motor out of the heat would be ideal.
 
Some options:

Agree with @ptonsparky use a supply blower if the space can be pressurized.

If not use a larger blower on the roof and mix some outside air into the duct before the motor

Use an exhaust fan with the motor outside the duct, blower in the duct belt drive
 
The suggestions do make me think.

A supply blower wouldn't do much of anything. These building are glorified pole barns. Impossible to create a positive pressure inside them. I doubt changing the duct work is an option. The design is engineer approved, and not easily changed.
 
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