Less is More: ABB’s Baldor-Reliance Food Safe Motors Get an Upgrade

ABB has upgraded its Baldor-Reliance Food Safe stainless steel motor lineup with an innovative three-lead electrical connection configuration. (Note that the nine-lead motor will still be readily available.) This optimization effectively streamlines the installation process, reducing overall setup or change-out time for food and beverage processing facilities. The likelihood of connection errors is significantly diminished by minimizing lead count, enhancing the system's reliability and minimizing operational interruptions.

The new three-lead motor for ABB’s Baldor-Reliance series of stainless steel motors. Image used courtesy of ABB

Simplicity is Key

ABB’s addition Baldor-Reliance Food Safe stainless steel motor lineup features three-leads rather than the older model’s nine-lead design. Reducing leads optimizes installation time and minimizes connection errors, thus enhancing reliability and decreasing downtime. A guide is available here if you’re unfamiliar with 3-phase motor wiring. Available in 1-5 horsepower, three-phase models, these motors are constructed from 300-series stainless steel and suitable for inverter use per NEMA MG1 Part 31.4.4.2.

These motors deliver exceptional performance for diverse applications in the food and beverage industry and come with a three-year warranty. Brandon Canclini, ABB's global product manager, stated, "This new configuration of the Baldor-Reliance Food Safe stainless steel motor is a testament to ABB’s commitment to supporting our customers with reliable, efficient, and industry-leading technology.“ The nine-lead configuration is also available for variable-speed drive applications, ensuring seamless integration with existing 460V systems while boosting productivity and lowering maintenance costs.

The design of the motor motors allows users to rotate the conduit box and rotate the lead opening to suit their wiring needs. Image used courtesy of ABB

When designing this motor for the food and beverage industry, ABB also considered the mounting feet. These independent feeds will allow for 360-degree access for effective cleaning and inspection, an area typically ignored or missed while cleaning motors used in the food and beverage industry. ABB has also included lifting lugs for larger frame sizes, making it easier for technicians to maneuver the motors during installation and removal.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

The Baldor-Reliance Food Safe motors are engineered to meet the toughest sanitation standards in the food industry, featuring a smooth stainless steel enclosure to prevent corrosion and contamination with crevice-free surfaces and a self-draining design that effectively prevents food particle accumulation. In alignment with NAMI guidelines, the motor's smooth contours and rounded conduit box minimize potential catch points where bacteria or mold may develop.

The continuously welded construction of the conduit box and independently mounted feet eliminates contamination ingress paths, while all hardware is optimized to reduce pooling risks. These motors will feature a polished 360-degree rotatable conduit box that allows for comprehensive inspection and cleaning access, and the laser-marked nameplate ensures legibility throughout the motor's lifespan. With IP69 water ingress protection thanks to the two-barrier mechanical seal on the output shaft, these motors are designed to endure high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns, making them ideal for the food processing industry.