Choosing the right hazardous duty motor can be a matter of life and death

Purchasing the wrong motor for your grain handling and processing facility is a decision that could blow up – literally. Electric motors can produce enough heat to constitute a potential ignition source. An electric motor misapplied in a combustible atmosphere is a disaster waiting to happen.

However, the threat associated with operating an electric motor in a combustible environment is something that can be effectively mitigated through careful risk assessment and proper product selection. This a task that is much easier said than done, as it requires consideration of various motor characteristics and environmental variables – many of which are difficult to accurately quantify. Even in facilities where experienced professionals are responsible for equipment selection and installation, it is not uncommon to see the use of unqualified motors in hazardous locations. In many cases, this is something that goes undiscovered until a safety incident occurs or it is caught during an inspection from a regulatory body.

Luckily, there are explosion-proof hazardous duty motors, like the Siemens SIMOTICS XP100, specifically designed for use in grain handling and processing facilities. For more information on how to select the right motor for your hazardous location download our “Guide to Hazardous Duty Motor Selection in Grain Handling and Processing Facilities,” or contact me on LinkedIn.