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applications engineering

Motor Space Heater


This paper discusses the use of an integral motor space heater Note
available as an option from most electric motor manufacturers.
• Refer to the motor nameplate or specific motor data sheet for elec-
Applications trical ratings of the space heater. Space heaters are available in
many voltage ratings. In the US a typical rating is 120 or 220VAC.
Cooling tower motors subjected to long term storage, extended or
overnight shut down and ON and OFF cycling in varying outdoor
• Kilowatt rating and number of heaters is dependent on the frame
weather conditions.
size of the motor. Larger frame motors require more kW to heat
Purpose the material and internal air space.

The space heater keeps the internal temperature of the motor • Typically a motor space heater is powered from the customer’s
above the ambient dew point while the motor is OFF. The heater remote electrical supply source through a set of logic contacts
helps to prevent condensation from forming inside the motor in a VFD or motor starter. Most off-the-shelf VFDs do not have
which can be damaging to motor windings, bearings and electrical 120VAC or 220VAC supply on board to power a space heater.
connections.
• Having the space heater powered from a remote source other
than the VFD or motor starter helps to assure the heater is
energized even when the disconnect switch for the VFD or motor
starter is off.

• Cost effective, low cost compared to trickle charge heating.

The use of the motor space heater is optional. If the space heater is not needed,
these leads can be capped off and taped out of the way. The picture is a typical
two heater option wired in parallel.
applications engineering

Simple wiring diagram, refer to the motor nameplate

1PCB
RBIO – 01
BYPASS CONTROL BOARD

X2
1
2
+24VDC
+24VDC
Sequence of Operation
3 DCOM
4 GND • Motor is being controlled by the VFD during normal operation.
5 D11 START/STOP
6 D12 NOT SEL Speed varies according to heat load. RELAY OUTPut 2
7 D13 SAFETY INTERLOCK
8 D14 NOT SEL
(SYS RUNNING) contacts 14 and 15 are open.
9 D15 NOT SEL
10 D16 OVERRIDE 1
• Motor is called to stop by either the absence of the run enable or
heat load is such that the fan motor is not needed.
11
RELAY OUTPUT 1
12 BYP NOT FLT
13 •R
 ELAY OUTPUT 2 (SYS RUNNING) contact 14 and 15 are
14
120VAC RELAY OUTPUT 2 closed energizing the motor space heater element keeping the
15
SYS RUNNING
16
17
motor warm.
RELAY OUTPUT 3
18
SYS STARTED
19 • Fan motor is called to run by either an increase heat load or
20
RELAY OUTPUT 4
21 BYPASS SEL
presence of the run enable signal from the BMS.
22
23
24
RELAY OUTPUT 5 •R
 ELAY OUTPUT 2 (SYS RUNNING) contact 14 and 15 are
BYPASS AUTO
Element 1 25
open, turning off the motor space heater.
J3
A 1
RS 485 CONNECTION B 2
X2 3
Com
26 SCR DIP SWITCH
27 B+ SW1 1
ON ON

28 A- 2
Element 2 29 AGND
J5
CONSULT MANUAL
(optional) 30 SCR FOR SETTING
1-20
SLOT 1

SPX COOLING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


7401 WEST 129 STREET AE-BP-15 | ISSUED 9/2017
OVERLAND PARK, KS 66213 USA COPYRIGHT © 2017 SPX CORPORATION
913 664 7400 | spxcooling@spx.com In the interest of technological progress, all products are subject to design

spxcooling.com and/or material change without notice.

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