What effect does running a motor at lower than rated voltage have?

Running a motor at a lower than rated voltage has the effect of increasing the temperature of the windings. When a motor operates below its rated voltage, it may not be able to produce the torque necessary to do its intended work. As a result, the motor will draw more current to compensate for the lack of torque, leading to increased losses in the motor windings.

These losses primarily manifest as heat due to the resistance in the windings. The overheating can subsequently reduce insulation lifespan and potentially lead to motor failure. Therefore, operating at lower voltage conditions can create a scenario where the motor runs inefficiently and becomes prone to overheating as the current increases beyond normal operational levels.

This phenomenon highlights the importance of ensuring that motors operate within their specified voltage range to maintain efficiency and longevity.