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Motor Base Selector

Run the Motor Base Selector MicroSim Fullscreen

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About This MicroSim

Choosing a motor base for a belt-driven fan is a procedure: check the motor frame against each base's frame range, then the fan type and arrangement against its typical mountings, then the industry. This MicroSim gives eight illustrative cases, one at a time and always in the same order. For each one you choose one of five base styles and commit it with Check.

The reference table, which you can open at any time, holds the rules:

Base style Frame range Typical mounting
NEMA type slide base 48 to 445 Arr. 1, 3, 9, 9F, 9H, 9ST; plenum 1, 3, 3HS, 3VS, 3SM; pedestal plug 1P, 9P
Heavy-duty slide rails 440, 500 and 5000 series On base; on pedestal for Arr. 9H only
Automotive pivot base Not stated Arr. 9H pedestal, Arr. 9SS swingout, Arr. 3 specially mounted; mostly automotive
Standard post mount 48 to 215 Tubular centrifugal and axial Arr. 9; plenum 3HA, 3VA; plug Arr. 9
Pivot/bolted adjustable base 254 to 445 Tubular centrifugal and axial Arr. 9; plenum 3HA, 3VA; plug Arr. 9

Frame comparisons use the number in the frame designation (326T is 326). A 440-series frame above 445 (such as 449T) is beyond the NEMA slide base and has only heavy-duty slide rails.

Each case has one attempt. A correct choice reads "✓ Correct: . "; an incorrect one reads "✗ Not quite. The correct base is . ". The correct base is shown at once, and a checked case cannot be changed. Each checked case stays marked on the base you chose, as a chip with its case number and ✓ (solid border) or ✗ (dashed border). The running line reads "Correct: n of 8".

After case 8 the summary gives the first-attempt score, says whether the mastery level (7 of 8 on the first attempt) was reached, and lists every case with your choice, the correct base and the reason. On narrow screens the summary and the reference table are split over pages.

How to Use

  1. Read the case and the prompt "Which motor base fits this fan and motor?"
  2. Press Reference table (or R) whenever you want to look up the frame ranges and mountings. On a narrow screen, press More rows for the rest of the table.
  3. Choose a base with its button or keys 1 to 5 (the choice is outlined; you can change it until you check).
  4. Press Check (or Enter). The table closes so the verdict and the rule are visible.
  5. Press Next case (or Enter). After case 8, press Finish and read the summary.
  6. Start over clears the score and starts again at case 1.

Keyboard: keys 1 to 5 choose a base; R opens, pages or closes the reference table; Enter checks, then goes to the next case; Tab reaches every button.

Data label: "Illustrative cases · Rules: FanPedia pp. 76-78", shown at the bottom left of the drawing.

Iframe Embed Code

You can add this MicroSim to any web page by adding this to your HTML:

<iframe src="https://moroshek.github.io/FanTASTIC-textbook/sims/ch15-motor-base-selector/main.html"
        height="602px"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no"></iframe>

Lesson Plan

Learning Objective

The learner will apply FanPedia's motor base frame ranges and typical mountings to choose the motor base style for a belt-driven fan, given the motor frame, the fan type and arrangement, and the industry, with at least 7 of 8 cases correct (Bloom: Apply, verb: apply).

Audience

Adult professional development: new application engineers, sales staff, representatives and facilities staff.

Duration

10-15 minutes

Prerequisites

  • Motor base, slide base and heavy-duty slide rails (Chapter 15, "Slide Base")
  • Pivot motor base and automotive pivot base (Chapter 15, "Pivot Motor Base")
  • Post mount motor base and pivot/bolted adjustable base (Chapter 15, "Post Mount Motor Base")
  • NEMA frame size (Chapter 14) and fan arrangements (Chapter 11)

Activities

  1. Select (7 min): Work the eight cases. For each, say the frame number, then which bases its range allows, then which of those the arrangement allows, before you press Check.
  2. Review (3 min): Read the summary. For each miss, name the step of the procedure (frame, arrangement or industry) that decided it.
  3. Discuss (3 min): Cases 3 and 4 are both plenum or tubular Arrangement 9-family fans. What single fact moves a motor from the post mount to the pivot/bolted base?

Common Misconceptions Addressed

  • Any motor up to 449T fits a NEMA slide base. Case 7 (449T) is above the 445 limit; the feedback names the limit.
  • Post mount and pivot/bolted bases are interchangeable. Cases 3, 4 and 5 split them by frame: 48 to 215 versus 254 to 445.
  • Automotive pivot bases can use any motor position. Case 6's feedback states that clockwise rotation puts the motor in position L on Arrangement 9SS.

Assessment

  • First-attempt score shown in the summary as "First-attempt score: n of 8"; mastery is 7 of 8 on the first attempt. The running line reads "Correct: n of 8".
  • Follow-up question: the motor on case 3 is upsized from 184T to 256T. Does the base change, and why?

References

  1. FanPedia: The Fan & Blower Encyclopedia (PDF) - Twin City Fan & Blower; p. 76 (slide bases and rails), p. 77 (automotive pivot bases), p. 78 (adjustable bases) and p. 74 (the 5008S special frame).
  2. FanPedia online - Twin City Fan & Blower's online version of the encyclopedia.
  3. Chapter 15: Motor Ratings, Speed Control and Positioners - the section "Mounting the Motor on a Belt-Driven Fan" and its frame-range table.
  4. Chapter 11: Drives and Standard Fan Arrangements - the fan arrangements named in the cases.