Design and construction to achieve low starting currents on hazardous area motors

Machines designed for hazardous areas are fundamentally no different from any other type of electrical machine. However, they are subject to a number of design constraints such as maximum surface temperatures and minimum air gaps to ensure that they remain safe for the particular application. With the increasing use of very large cage induction motors offshore on relatively small electrical systems, the authors describe how it is often beneficial to have the ability to start them directly online with very low starting currents. Adopting a low capital cost, a fit for purpose approach will (with careful design) result in a low starting current motor