D

“D” FLANGE

A special end shield with untapped holes for through bolts in the flange.  It is primarily used for mounting the motor to gearboxes or bulkheads.  They are available in frame sized 143T through 445T.

DC (DIRECT CURRENT)

A current that flows only in one direction in an electric circuit.  It may be continuous or discontinuous and it may be constant or varying.

DC MOTOR

A motor using either generated or rectified DC power.  A DC motor is often used when variable-speed operation is required.

DEFINITE PURPOSE MOTOR

A definite purpose motor is any motor design listed and offered in standard ratings with standard operating characteristics but with special mechanical features for use under service conditions other than usual or for use on a particular type of application (NEMA).

DUAL VOLTAGE

Some motors can operate on two different voltages, depending upon how it is built and connected.  The voltages are either multiples of two or the Ö3 of one another.

DUTY CYCLE

The relationship between the operating and rest times or repeatable operation at different loads.  A motor which can continue to operate within the temperature limits of its insulation system after it has reached normal operating (equilibrium) temperature is considered to have a continuous duty (CONT.) rating.  A motor which never reaches equilibrium temperature but is permitted to cool down between operations, is operating under intermittent (INT) duty.  Conditions such as a crane and hoist motor are often rated 15 or 30 minute intermittent duty.

DYNAMOMETER

A device which places a load on the motor to accurately measure its output torque and speed by providing a calibrated dynamic load.  Helpful in testing motors for nameplate information and an effective device in measuring efficiency.

DESIGN A, B, C, D – FOR AC MOTORS

NEMA has standard motor designs with various torque characteristics to meet specific requirements posed by different application loads.  The design “B” is the most common design.

DIMENSIONS

NEMA has standard frame sizes and dimensions designating the height of the shaft, the distance between mounting bolt holes and various other measurements.  Integral AC motor NEMA sizes run from 143T – 445T, and the center of the shaft height in inches can be figured by taking the first two digits of the frame number and dividing it by 4.

Fractional horsepower motors, for which NEMA spells out dimensions, utilize 42, 48 and 56 frames.  The shaft height in inches can be established by dividing the frame number by 16

DRIP-PROOF GUARDED

A drip-proof machine with ventilating openings guarded (with screens) as in a guarded motor.

DRIP-PROOF MOTOR

An open motor in which the ventilating openings are so constructed that drops of liquid or solid particles falling on it, at any angle not greater than 15 degrees from the vertical, cannot enter either directly or by striking and running along a horizontal or inwardly inclined surface.

DUAL TORQUE

A dual speed motor with torque values that vary with speed (as the speed changes the horsepower remains constant).