Are motors really that sensitive to water?

Generally, if water gets into an electric motor, it can affect the insulation of the coils. If the motor is used without being dried, it is prone to incidents such as breakdowns or leaks, which can ultimately lead to the destruction of the entire motor. Of course, special submersible motors are not affected in this way; when water enters them, it mainly affects the insulation, and while there are other effects as well, they are relatively minor

Water has entered the motor, which primarily affects the insulation resistance between the coils as well as the insulation resistance of the coils relative to the ground; this can easily lead to motor breakdown. The current protection rating of the motor is IP54, so as long as water is not directed at the motor, a few drops of water from time to time will not cause much harm. If the motor has an IP23 rating, it is best to dry it before using it again.

Electric motors are sensitive to water because their insulation is closely related to water; when exposed to moisture, the insulation resistance of the motor decreases. An insufficient insulation resistance is a problem – for low-voltage motors, the insulation resistance between the electrical components and the ground, as well as between the various phases of the motor, should not be less than 0.5 megohms. Otherwise, the motor may burn out due to short circuits when powered on. In addition to the impact on electrical systems, splashing water and ** can also cause rust and corrosion in the metal parts of the motor. Furthermore, in terms of clean production and the 5S organization principles, cleaning should be done by sweeping or using mops to wipe the floor; it is absolutely forbidden to wash the floor with water! It is honorable to save water.

Water ingress can have a significant impact on the insulation of ordinary motors, potentially causing them to burn out. Motors with an IP rating of IP55 or higher are fine.

Judging from the description that water gets onto the motor, there should be no problem – as long as the motor doesn’t get water directly into it. Water usually enters through the junction box; once it gets in, it can reduce the insulation quality, cause the bearings to rust, and ultimately damage the motor

Water ingress, splashing water, and moisture exposure are distinct concepts; splashed water can lead to severe corrosion. If it splashes onto junction boxes or ports, it can cause internal moisture that affects the insulation, but ordinary splashing of water is not that serious.

As a supplementary note, the protection ratings of motors have improved these days; ordinary splashing water does not significantly affect their operation. It depends on where the water splashes and how much of it there is – if there is severe splashing, it’s best to check the insulation resistance again before using the motor

I won’t discuss the hazards of water entering the motor anymore, as Haiyou has already covered most of it. Ordinary motors are not waterproof, and this applies even to explosion-proof and dust-proof motors, unless there are special requirements regarding water resistance, such as that of submersible motors: handshake

Whether a motor can withstand water splashes depends mainly on its protection rating. The protection rating is explained as follows: IPXY, where X=0 indicates no protection ； =1 Prevent solid foreign objects larger than 50 mm ； =2 Prevent solid foreign objects larger than 12 mm ； =3 Prevent solid foreign objects larger than 2.5 mm ； =4 Prevent solid foreign objects larger than 1mm ； =5 Dustproof (only a small amount of dust can enter) ； =6 Dust-tight (i.e., no dust can enter) Y=0: No protection ； ＝1 Prevent vertical dripping ； ＝2 protection 15° drip prevention ； ＝3 Waterproofing ； ＝4 Splash protection ； ＝5 defense** ； ＝6 Wave Protection ； ＝7 Protection against water infiltration effects ； ＝8 to prevent the impact of diving. As can be seen from the above, if the protection rating of the splash-proof motor is to be considered, it should be at least IP55 or higher.

Water has entered the motor; I’m not sure what type of motor it is When clean water enters a motor, it is necessary to disassemble the motor in order to remove the water inside, followed by drying. A megohmmeter is used to check the insulation between the motor’s windings as well as their insulation from the casing; the resistance value should be determined in accordance with the requirements specified in the motor’s user manual. Once the motor assembly process is complete and inspected, it can be put into use. If it is sewage, the motor must be disassembled for internal cleaning.

As explained above, whether a motor is resistant to water depends mainly on whether its protection rating meets the required standards. The manager doesn’t allow it to be washed with water; firstly, it’s to avoid any potential problems, and secondly, it’s to save water. With the financial crisis going on, it’s better to save wherever possible.

Of course, the motor must not get wet; not to mention other issues, it wouldn’t be able to meet the insulation requirements. Moreover, the casing itself doesn’t provide any insulation, which represents a potential danger

If the leader says it’s not good, then it’s not good; if the leader says it’s good, then it’s good even if it isn’t. Leaders should not make statements lightly; if one expects a leader to reveal the answer, then he is no longer a leader.

Water entering the motor can very likely lead to a decrease in the motor’s insulation, and it is possible that the motor coils will be damaged. It may also cause leaks that result in accidents; therefore, it is not good for water to get into the motor, and appropriate methods should be used for drying it out

Water entering the motor will cause its insulation resistance to decrease, and since ordinary motors are not waterproof, your supervisor is correct.

The motors used in oil refining and chemical processing plants are generally of the W type, that is, outdoor-type motors. These motors operate in an open environment, and their protection rating is usually IP55, which means they are resistant to water – there is no harmful impact from water on any part of the enclosure. So they aren’t sensitive to water, contrary to what some people think; even if it rains heavily during normal operation, the water will just fall on the motors, and that’s fine!

If the leader says they are afraid of water, then they are afraid of water! It’s just like your TV at home – it can’t get wet!

IP is an international code used to determine the protection level. The IP rating consists of two digits, with the first digit indicating dust protection； The second digit indicates water resistance; the higher the number, the better the protection level. 　　Dust Protection Rating
Number Protection Level Definition
0 No protection No special protection provided
1 Prevents objects larger than 50mm from entering Prevents accidental contact with internal components of the lamp by humans Prevents objects with a diameter greater than 50mm from entering
2 Prevents objects larger than 12mm from entering Prevents fingers from touching internal components of the lamp
3 Prevents objects larger than 2.5mm from entering Prevents tools, wires, or objects with a diameter greater than 2.5mm from entering
4 Prevents objects larger than 1.0mm from entering Prevents mosquitoes, flies, insects, or other objects with a diameter greater than 1.0mm from entering
5 Dust-resistant Cannot completely prevent dust from entering, but the amount of dust that enters does not affect the proper functioning of the lamp
6 Fully dust-resistant Completely prevents dust from entering

Water Protection Rating
Number Protection Level Definition
0 No protection No special protection provided
1 Prevents dripping water from entering Prevents water droplets falling vertically
2 Still prevents dripping water even when tilted at 15 degrees Allows the lamp to remain protected from dripping water even when tilted at 15 degrees
3 Prevents splashed water from entering Prevents rainwater or water sprayed at an angle of less than 50 degrees from entering
4 Prevents water splashing from entering Prevents water splashing from any direction from entering
5 Prevents water from high-pressure sources from entering Prevents water ejected from waves or high-pressure sources from entering
6 Prevents water from high-pressure sources from entering Ensures the lamp continues to function properly even when submerged in water for a certain period of time or under certain water pressure conditions
7 Prevents water from causing damage even if the lamp is submerged indefinitely Ensures the lamp continues to function properly even when submerged under certain water pressure conditions for an extended period
8 Protects against the effects of submersion

My sister’s supervisor is right; there’s no doubt that motors are sensitive to water. Even if they have a high protection rating, it’s still best to avoid exposure to water as much as possible!

When water enters the motor, its insulation level decreases, leading to easy leakage of electricity, which can pose a risk to both human safety and equipment integrity