subject: How To Choose Electric Motors For Explosive Environments [print this page] In industrial situations it is often necessary to combine potentially dangerous and volatile machinery with hazardous environments of all kinds. In high risk industries and workplaces it is essential that every piece of equipment is thoroughly checked for safety and integrity in the applicable environment. This standard extends to not only the external machinery manipulated by workers, but also the electric motors used to power the machinery.
All machinery used in explosive environments needs to be fully protected from sparks, debris, high heats and any other influences that could cause a damaging and potentially ruinous explosion or fire. The machinery used in electric cars and motorcycles needs to be similarly insulated, so that in the case of an accident or collision, the driver is protected from a life-threatening explosion. When safety is an issue, the quality of the electric motor should be a top priority, as it can make the difference between life and death in an emergency.
In both vehicles and industrial sites, multiple machines are used in close proximity to provide power, motion and other modes of operation. This means that are multiple possible sites for an explosion to occur and a fire to spread throughout the space. In the case of a truck, there may be an electric motor controlling the steering, as well as many more hydraulic drives in the body of the truck. It is important that each of these machines are treated carefully, from purchase through to use and disposal.
While these machines are considered to be better for the environment because they do not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere like traditional diesel engines, the machines do often interact with many dangerous chemicals and substances in industrial and domestic applications. This means that if an emergency situation does occur there are many hazards to deal with and suppress. The battery units commonly used in concurrence with the machinery, for example, contain many toxic substances which need to be well insulated for the health and safety of people nearby.
If you are looking for a safe solution for your workplace or hobby project, you should consider machines treated with Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCIs). These treatments protect the metallic components inside the electric motor to prevent the corrosion and gradual damage of the machinery, which could lead to an explosion in an adverse environment. The corrosion of individual parts, such as copper windings, is also a major cause behind decreased efficiency in all types of machinery.
