Can I Use 50Hz Motor on 60Hz?

Yes. If it drives the load on 380V 50Hz it will drive it at 380V 60Hz. Max power is unchanged (higher speed, lower torque, same current).

But on voltage 20% higher, ~ 460V, it can give 20% higher output (higher speed, same torque, same current).

The spec clearly states that you can, however the thing that only you can see is the load that will be driven by the motor, the speed WILL be different, as will all of the critical points on the motor speed/torque/load curves. Only you can determine if this is acceptable to the load being driven or process application.

I say that the OP cannot run this motor on 60Hz power. Since the motor manufacturer clearly states that the motor is rated for this voltage and frequency but the OP is still not sure if this combination is suitable. I think that the OP should pay for an outside consultant to approve this design.

I wonder if a certain feline and rodent would be available?

Good suggestion.

you can understand the answer possibly a little better after reading thishttp://www.usmotors.com/TechDocs/ProFacts/50Hz-Operation-60Hz.aspx

Yes, you can!

Yes

Spec says 380/440/460V 50/60Hz, You are asking about 380V 60hz. The analysis of these specs and requirements, i.e. 380/440/460V 50/60Hz states that it can be done, it is built to do so, put the power on and watch it spin.

Good Luck, Old Salt

This would not be the first time I saw a motor or any other part for that matter that specified on the component an acceptable usage range that in the manufacturer's documentation a de-rating disclaimer explained the change in operation.

Since we know nothing but the sparse information the OP provides, I still say a consultant should be paid.

Can somebody use this motor to reliably and safely move something in both 50 & 60 Hz power grids, absolutely. Can somebody else fail in using this motor in multiple power grids, absolutely. Can I tell which somebody the OP happens to be, probably not. While the OP does recognize the uncertainty of the situation, they did not provide any information for a proper analysis.

I have seen this same multi-use rating on several different size motors from multiple manufacturers over the last 5 -6 years.

I was curious how the internal structure design would compensate for the heating issues so I called a couple of my old contacts that still work in the industry.

I was told that the motor stator & rotor laminations along with the rotor shorting rings and the winding span, # of turns, and conductor size have all been redesigned to offset and eliminate the heating issues.

This was done so that the manufacturer can lower costs and provide motors that can be used internationally without having two different designs and use only one assembly line.

To date I have not seen nor been made aware of any outstanding issues with any of these multi-use motors whether used here in the USA at 60HZ or at our other sites in South America, Africa, or Indonesia at 50 HZ.

I was not given any specific motor design details due to proprietary security so I cannot elaborate.

Why not just ask the tech guy at the company who makes it?

Yes.

You said so yourself.

The motor nameplate says it can be done, but I wouldn't do it. The motor will run but will be under-excited and will have a lot of slip. It really will not hurt the motor, but it will be an inefficient use of electricity. At 460 or 480 volts it will run more efficiently but at more RPM. The people who have responded that the nameplate is unusual have not looked at very many motor nameplates. This is very common designation and means what it says as to the motor's capability to not self-destruct. It doesn't guarantee efficiency at all these ratings.

Yes you can run it, but be prepared for all the problems that could arise.

1.- The motor will run slower and hotter than at the correct frequency.

2.- Trips due to over heating can occur more often.

3.- Issues with items not operating correctly due to not having the correct RPM., etc.

Quoting Vargaalex

1.- The motor will run slower and hotter than at the correct frequency.

2.- Trips due to over heating can occur more often.

3.- Issues with items not operating correctly due to not having the correct RPM., etc.

The motor will run faster not slower. The Motor will not overheat if the volts/hertz is the same and will probably actually run cooler since the increased speed will improve cooling. The normal problems are running a 60HZ motor at 50HZ not the other way around. The answer from Vargaalex would be correct if the question was opposite of what it was. You can almost always run a 50HZ at 60HZ if you can stand the speed increase and watch volts/hz and keep the expended hp the same. You almost always cannot run a 60HZ motor at 50HZ unless the nameplate says you can, but the same things need to be watched.

All true if this is a fully synchronous motor. But the common problem people find when running many 50 HZ induction motors at the increased frequency of 60 HZ is with the higher speed the mechanical load will often exceed the available torque at the higher frequency. This can induce more slip which results in a net lower rotor angular velocity than at 50 HZ. We know nothing about the mechanical load.

I was referring to induction motors only. Synchronous motors do not have ratings such as these. As long as the volts/hz ratio is maintained and rated load is kept within nameplate values your comments are not valid.

I presume that you did read the question posed by the OP. The OP wishes to use the lowest voltage rating and the highest frequency on the name plate. The volt/hz ratio will not be maintained. We also have no idea of the mechanical load. As others have already mentioned some mechanical loads (centrifugal pumps) will increase with the square of the angular velocity. An increase from 50 Hz to 60 Hz can now be nearly a 50% increase in mechanical loading. Nor do we know the NEMA torque curve for the motor in question to hazard a guess how much slip should be expected at either frequency.

So powering this motor with the high frequency lowest voltage will be electrically sound. The unknown mechanics could pose a sufficient problem of overloading this unknown motor. I agree that most designs have sufficient power and torque reserves that a problem is not likely but there can still be a problem.

If that would be a problem, the nameplate should have stated:

380V 50Hz/440-460V 60Hz

I.e., segregating the matching V/Hz with each other.

That's right, also I'd expect to see a voltage range for 50Hz, say 380-400V. On 60Hz (and the appropriate volts) it will produce 20% higher power than at 50Hz. OP - does the nameplate give power at both Hz?

As most of the respondents have mentioned, your speed and torque will be different

Being a Maintenance Technician here in the states for the last 3 decades we typically use the standard:

• 120 v AC / 60 HZ
• 208 / 230 v AC / 60 HZ
• 460 / 480 v AC / 60 HZ

Anything at 50 HZ is what we call a European rating, and I have never wired a motor for 380 V 60 HZ here in the USA. I would suggest a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) if the motor is compatible with being powered by a VFD.
Do you reside in an area where you have access to 50 HZ and 60 HZ? Where is that?
I would use the ratings from the power grid and power the motor accordingly.The higher the voltage, the lower the current draw on the grid and less money spent on electricity. I always try to power a motor with the highest available voltage.
I know, electrical discussions can be a bit confusing when you introduce too many options in it. I see on a daily basis the different voltages and ratings that manufacturers label their product with. I.E. On these contactors I have sitting in front of me, the coil voltage shows "24 V 50/60 HZ" which means it is an AC coil, the other shows "24 V" which means it is a DC coil, and the other shows "110 V 50/60 HZ" which means I will power it with 120 V AC. Also, using the designation of 120 V is the same as saying 110 V or 115 V. I'm going to be out in the field working and if I see an interesting motor plate, I will post it.

The speed will be higher on 60Hz. If voltage kept at 380 (as OP says) torque is lower (x 0.83), power is unchanged. If voltage increased by 1.2x, to ~ 460V, torque is unchanged, power is increased by 1.2x.

These are maximums the motor can output, the actual power depends on the load. I would expect the OP knows what the power drawn by the load is at 60Hz, as I assume it's a 60Hz machine, but feedback from OP would help. In that case, if the motor rated power at 380V, 50Hz is enough for the load at 60Hz, it will be OK on 380V, 60Hz.