How to Specify a Motor With the Smorgasbord of Standards: A Road Map for Engineers

How does today’s process industry engineer even specify a motor with the plethora of industry standards from various standards development organizations around the globe? This article provides a basic overview of the issues that are essential in the decision process when purchasing a new motor and is directed toward the engineer who must specify motors but is not a motor specialist. Since project engineers are regularly expected to justify the options selected and purchase recommendations, this article provides guidance. Process industry motor standards are used in reviews of motor requirements and options available today.