What is a General-Purpose AC Motor

General Purpose AC motors refers to a broad category of every-day-use motors. Very similar to a car’s base model, these motors don’t have all the bells and whistles. You won’t find specialized shafts and bearings, specific mounting equipment, or over current and overload protections. Therefore, general purpose motors can be used for many purposes.

Sometimes referred to as ‘asynchronous’ or ‘induction’ motors, AC motors convert alternating current into mechanical energy (torque). AC stands for alternating current, as the electric current reverses its direction many times in a second. Most motors built for use in North America run at 60Hz, meaning the direction changes 60 times per second.

Baldor General Purpose AC Motors

Baldor Reliance offers a vast selection of AC motors, in fractional up to 600 horsepower. Their Super E motors are NEMA premium efficient, providing energy savings compared to the standard and high efficiency motors. Baldor is known for their durable and long-lasting motors, making them a trusted brand.

WEG General Purpose AC Motors

WEG offers ample stock, enabling fast delivery when ordering an AC motor. Their general purpose motors come in fractional - 750 horsepower, offering the highest horsepower options from our general-purpose catalogue. WEG is one of the largest motor manufacturers in the world, investing nearly $150 million (CAD) in Research and Development in 2021. Because of their commitment to continuous growth, they are considered a leader in the motor market.

TECO Westinghouse General Purpose AC Motors

Offering fractional up to 400 horsepower general purpose motors, TECO Westinghouse offers a rugged, trusted general purpose AC motor. This is one of the most well-stocked brands, allowing for fast delivery. TECO Westinghouse is a global leader in manufacturing motors, serving the oil & gas, mining and wastewater industries.

Marathon General Purpose AC Motors

Marathon offers single phase and three phase AC induction motors manufactured by Regal Rexnord. Backed by over 100 years of manufacturing expertise, Marathon is a trusted brand in North America known for its quality.

Where to Buy General Purpose AC Motors

Shop general purpose electric motors online through our website today. With over 8500 SKUs and convenient filtering options, you can easily find the motor you’re searching for.

Our general purpose motor category covers many types of electric motors like single-phase and three-phase general purpose AC motor, for example. Choose a motor with a frame made from materials like cast iron, rolled steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. Find horsepower abilities from fractional up to 600. Choose from different enclosure types, like open Air Over (OAO), Open Drip Proof (ODP), Totally Enclosed Air Over (TEAO), Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC), and Totally Enclosed Non-Ventilated (TENV). All from your most trusted brands; Baldor, Century, Leeson, Marathon, Max Motion, Nidec, TECO-Westinghouse, and WEG.

Need a hand finding the right motor for your application or legacy replacement? Contact our motors experts. They have extensive knowledge, backed by over 45 years of experience, to help you with your electric motor project.