YS/MS Aluminum Housing Three-Phase Asynchronous Motor

Aluminum-Housed Three-Phase Asynchronous Motors Buying Guide

What is the range of power and dimensions for the three-phase aluminum-housing asynchronous motors?

You know, the silver-gray motors on every pump and conveyor? Three-phase asynchronous motors with an aluminium frame. They swear by them, plants. Light. Rustproof. Lose heat like crazy.

But when you’re ordering, you want real answers. How much muscle? What footprint?

Power. What do I want?

The lowest is 0.06 kW. 1/12 HP. Dinky conveyors, lab stirrers. The top end is 315 kW (about 420 HP). And then? Cast iron takes over. Monster Motors crumple aluminium.

In between those bookends, here’s the menu: 0.18, 0.37, 0.75, 1.5, 3, 5.5, 7.5, 11, 15, 18.5, 22, 30, 37, 45, 55, 75, 90, 110, 132, 160, 200, 250 and 315 kW.

Frame sizes—cracking the code.

IEC 60072 is what you'll see. For aluminum, frames span 56 to 315. The number? Center height in millimeters. A 132 frame has a shaft center 132 mm off the base.

The letter—S, M, or L—tells stack length. More stack equals more power without changing frame height. Saves precious floor space.

Something folks overlook.

Aluminum frames weigh 30-40% less than cast iron. Huge for overhead mounting. They stay cooler too. But shock loads? Not their strong suit. Lots of pounding? Think about stepping up.

What actually drives the price of a three-phase asynchronous motor?

Same kW, wildly different prices. What's behind it?

Efficiency class—the heavy hitter.

IE1 is cheap. IE3 costs more. IE5? Double the IE1 price. You're paying for better steel, more copper, and tighter gaps. But if you're running round the clock and paying over $0.10/kWh, that premium pays back in two to three years.

Rotor material counts.

Copper beats aluminum. Lower losses, better efficiency. Costs more to cast. Your call depends on efficiency targets.

Mounting and shafts.

B3 foot-mounted is the bargain. B5 flange or B35 combo? Extra machining. Custom shafts—stainless, double-ended—add 10-25%.

Enclosure matters.

IP54 works for most indoors. IP55 or IP66 for washdown or dusty spots? Better seals, higher price. Explosion-proof? That can triple it.

Volume and source.

OEMs buying 50 units might see 15-30% off. Asian or Eastern European motors often cost less—but watch lead times and quality.

Cost recap:

• Efficiency: Biggest variable—can double it.
• Rotor: Copper costs more.
• Mounting: B3 cheapest; flanges add cost.
• Enclosure: IP54 fine; IP66 costs extra.
• Shaft: Stainless or custom are add-ons.
• Quantity: Bulk saves 15-30%.

What are the main types of asynchronous electric motors?

Three flavors. Differences in rotor, starting, and duty.

1. Squirrel-cage induction motors.

The workhorses—80% of the floor. Cast bars shorted at both ends. No brushes, no rings.

• Good: Almost no maintenance. High efficiency. VFD-friendly.
• Not so good: Fixed starting torque. Inrush 5-7x full-load. Need VFD for speed changes.
• Used in: Pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors, HVAC.

2. Wound-rotor (slip-ring) induction motors.

For brutal starts. Windings connect through rings and brushes to external resistors. Change resistance, change torque.

• Good: High starting torque with low inrush. Smoother starts.
• Not so good: Brushes need regular care. Lower efficiency. Bigger.
• Used in: Cranes, hoists, elevators, ball mills, rolling mills.

3. Single-phase—briefly.

Exist but under 3 kW. Use capacitors or shaded poles. Three-phase is the standard—better efficiency, more torque.

Two extras.

• Duty cycle: S1 (continuous), S3 (intermittent), S6 (periodic loading). Affects sizing and cost.
• Cooling: IC411 (self-cooled) is standard. IC416 (auxiliary blower) for low-speed VFD work.