Insulation System Class
Insulation System Class
90C
>90 - 105
105
105C
>105 - 120
120
120C
>120 - 130
130
130
130C
>130 - 155
155
155
155C
>155 - 180
180
180
180C
>180 - 200
105
Typical materials
Unimpregnated paper,
silk, cotton, vulcanized
natural rubber,
thermoplastics that soften
above 90 C [5]
Organic materials such as
cotton, silk, paper, some
synthetic fibers [6]
Polyurethane, epoxy
resins, polyethylene
terpthalate, and other
materials that have shown
usable lifetime at this
temperature
Inorganic materials such
as mica, glass fibers,
asbestos, with hightemperature binders, or
others with usable lifetime
at this temperature
Class 130 materials with
binders stable at the
higher temperature, or
other materials with
usable lifetime at this
temperature
Silicone elastomers, and
Class 130 inorganic
materials with hightemperature binders, or
200
220
250
200C
220
220C
240C
250C
The maximum hot-spot operating temperature is reached by adding the rated ambient
temperature of the machine (often 40C), a temperature rise, and a 10 C hot-spot allowance.
Electrical machines are usually designed with an average temperature below the rated hot-spot
temperature to allow for acceptable life. Insulation does not suddenly fail if the hot-spot
temperature is reached, but useful operating life declines rapidly; a rule of thumb is a halving of
life for every 10 C.
Older editions of standards listed materials to be used for the various temperature classes.
Modern editions of standards are proscriptive, only indicating that the insulation system must
provide acceptable life at the specified temperature rise.
In large machines, different systems may be used according to the predicted temperature rise of
the machine; for example, in large hydroelectric generators, stator windings may be Class B but
the more difficult to cool rotor winding may be Class F.