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Nairobi PowerENGINEERS · EST. 1984

SOLUTIONS / APPLICATION GUIDE

Geared motors & mechanical drives

Estimate output speed and torque, then check mechanical fit and duty. A ratio alone does not establish a gearbox rating.

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Illustrative geared motors & mechanical drives equipment
AI-generated equipment illustration.

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CHOOSE YOUR APPROACH

Start with the application.

Inline drive

Review helical arrangements where shaft alignment and continuous duty suit the machine.

Right-angle drive

Compare bevel-helical and worm layouts against efficiency, mounting and available space.

Conveyors and mixers

Account for shock, starts, overhung load, thermal rating and service factor.

BUILD A USEFUL BRIEF

Bring these details.

  • Required output speed and continuous / peak torque
  • Existing ratio, nameplate and mounting position
  • Shaft dimensions, coupling and radial / axial loads
  • Operating hours, reversals, shock and lubrication conditions
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Does the torque estimate select a gearbox?

No. It estimates steady-state shaft torque. The manufacturer must verify service factor, peak load, thermal capacity, bearing loads and mounting.

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COMPONENTS THAT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION

Specify the whole working system.

Start with the equipment duty. Add the control, protection and measurement functions that your project needs; these are options to review, not a pre-approved assembly.

Images are AI-generated illustrations of equipment categories, not LOVATO model photographs. Confirm dimensions and ratings from the selected model datasheet.

AI-generated illustration of the broader equipment category; not a manufacturer model

Motor protection & control

Contactors

Switch motors or other loads using the appropriate utilisation category.

Confirm: Load type and duty · coil supply · auxiliary contacts.

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Continue into equipment & assemblies

Geared Motors & Speed Reducers ↗Helical Geared Motors ↗Bevel-Helical Geared Motors ↗Worm Geared Motors (NMRV) ↗

METHODS & WORKED EXAMPLES

Understand the estimate.

These examples use the default inputs. Change the live controls above for your own scenario; the reference examples below remain fixed.

Geared motor speed & torque — worked example

Output speed = motor rpm / reduction ratio. Output torque (Nm) = 9550 × output shaft kW / output rpm.

Example inputs

  • Motor shaft power: 4 kW
  • Motor speed: 1500 rpm
  • Reduction ratio: 30 :1
  • Gear efficiency: 90 %
  • Service factor assumption: 1.5

Example result

  • Output speed: 50 rpm
  • Output torque: 687.6 Nm
  • Rated torque requirement: 1,031.4 Nm

Assumptions & limits

  • n₂ = n₁ / ratio; T₂ = 9550 × output kW / output rpm.
  • Service factor increases the required gearbox rating, not available torque.
  • Verify thermal capacity, peak torque, shock, mounting and shaft loads with the manufacturer.
  • Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.

Technical reference: SEW-EURODRIVE drive selection guide. This reference does not certify the website calculation or an NPE assembly.

Motor energy comparison — worked example

Annual kWh = rated shaft kW × load fraction × annual hours / efficiency fraction. Cost difference uses the entered energy tariff.

Example inputs

  • Rated shaft power: 30 kW
  • Shaft load: 75 %
  • Existing efficiency at duty: 88 %
  • Replacement efficiency at duty: 93 %
  • Annual running hours: 4000 h
  • Energy tariff assumption: 25 KES/kWh
  • Installed replacement cost: 150000 KES

Example result

  • Existing annual energy: 102,272.7 kWh
  • Replacement annual energy: 96,774.2 kWh
  • Annual cost difference: 137,463 KES

Assumptions & limits

  • Both motors deliver the same shaft duty. Use efficiency at this load, not an unrelated nameplate point.
  • Tariff is your scenario input, not a published utility rate.
  • Simple payback excludes finance, maintenance, downtime and tariff changes. Negative difference means higher operating cost.
  • Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.

Technical reference: US Department of Energy: motor systems guide. This reference does not certify the website calculation or an NPE assembly.

Motor starting current — worked example

Example inputs

  • Motor rating: 55 kW
  • System voltage: 415 V — industrial
  • Phase: 3Φ (three phase)
  • Starting method: Direct on line (DOL)
  • Efficiency: 92 %
  • Power factor: 0.86

Example result

  • Full load current: 96.7 A
  • Starting current: 580 A
  • Starting multiplier assumption: 6 × FLC

Assumptions & limits

  • Starting multipliers are illustrative, not measured inrush or guaranteed torque.
  • Verify motor nameplate, load acceleration, supply limits and starts per hour.
  • Preliminary planning only. Final selection needs project-specific engineering verification.