*Duty Cycle: The relationship between operating time and the resting time of an electric motor.

<Continuous Duty: The operation of loads for over one hour. <Intermittent Duty: The operation during alternate periods of load and rest. Usually expressed as 5 minutes, 30 minutes or one hour. *Duty is a statement of the loads to which the machine is subjected, including starting, electric braking, no-load and rest and de-energised periods, and also their durations and sequence in time. However, duty type is a continuous, short-time or periodic duty, comprised of one or more loads remaining constant for the duration specified, or a non-periodic duty in which generally, load and speed vary within the permissible operating range. Electric motors are manufactured as adaptable to various operating conditions. Standard duty types are classified by IEC 60 034-1: *S1 : Continuous running duty.The motor works at a constant load for enough time to reach temperature equilibrium. S2 : Short-time duty. Operation at constant load for durations of 10, 30, 60 and 90 min are recommended. After each operating period, the motor has to be de-energised for a sufficient duration until the windings are cooled to ambient temperature. S3 : Intermittent periodic duty. The starting current does not significantly affect the temperature rise. Duty cycle is 10 min unless otherwise agreed. Cyclic duration factor of 15%, 25%, 40% and 60% may be considered. S4 : Intermittent periodic duty with starting. Starting has influence on temperature rise of windings. Starting load-torque (N), number of starts per hour, cyclic duration factor and factor of inertia (Fl) have to be given. S5 : Intermittent periodic duty with electric braking. Starting and brakings have influence on temperature rise of windings. Starting load-torque (N), number of starts per hour, cyclic duration factor and factor of inertia (Fl) have to be given. S6 : Continuous-operation periodic duty. There is no temperature rise when the motor is loaded at its rated output. Duty cycle is 10 min unless otherwise agreed. Cyclic duration factor of 15%, 25%, 40% and 60% may be considered. S7 : Continuous-operation periodic duty with electric braking. Brakings have influence on temperature rise of windings. Load and factor of inertia (Fl) at the operating period have to be given. S8 : Continuous-operation periodic duty with related load/speed changes. Brakings have influence on temperature rise of windings. Load, cyclic duration factor and factor of inertia (Fl) for each speed at the operating period have to be given. S9 : Duty with non-periodic load and speed variations. Brakings have influence on temperature rise of windings. Load and factor of inertia (Fl) for each speed have to be given. Cyclic duration factor is the ratio of the period of loading, including starting and electrical braking, to the duration of the duty cycle and is expressed as a percentage.

 IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission) uses eight duty cycle designations to describe an electrical motors operating conditions: S1 - Continuous duty. The motor works at a constant load for enough time to reach temperature equilibrium. S2 - Short-time duty. The motor works at a constant load, but not long enough to reach temperature equilibrium. The rest periods are long enough for the motor to reach ambient temperature. S3 - Intermittent periodic duty. Sequential, identical run and rest cycles with constant load. Temperature equilibrium is never reached. Starting current has little effect on temperature rise. S4 - Intermittent periodic duty with starting. Sequential, identical start, run and rest cycles with constant load. Temperature equilibrium is not reached, but starting current affects temperature rise. S5 - Intermittent periodic duty with electric braking. Sequential, identical cycles of starting, running at constant load and running with no load. No rest periods. S6 - Continuous operation with intermittent load. Sequential, identical cycles of running with constant load and running with no load. No rest periods. S7 - Continuous operation with electric braking. Sequential identical cycles of starting, running at constant load and electric braking. No rest periods. S8 - Continuous operation with periodic changes in load and speed. Sequential, identical duty cycles run at constant load and given speed, then run at other constant loads and speeds. No rest periods. IP (Ingress Protection) codes define how well an enclosure protects against the external environment. As the number gets higher, the protection gets better. The first digit defines the protection level against "solids", the second against "liquids". You MUST use both digits to define an enclosure. For the first digit: 0 = No protection 1 = Protected against objects greater than 50 mm diameter 2 = Protected against objects greater than 12 mm diameter 3 = Protected against objects greater than 2.5 mm diameter 4 = Protected against objects greater than 1.0 mm diameter 5 = Dust protected 6 = Dust tight For the second digit: 0 = Not protected 1 = Protected against dripping water (i.e. vertical plane) 2 = Protected against dripping water up to 15 degree angle 3 = Protected against spraying water 4 = Protected against splashing water 5 = Protected against water jets 6 = Protected against heavy seas 7 = Protected against effects of immersion 8 = Protected against submersion