Whether you are looking for motors for air compressors, pumps or blowers, there are fractional horsepower motors to fit your application. Fractional horsepower motors, or fractional hp motors, are built in a frame that has a continuous rating of less than one horsepower. Even though these tiny workhorses are just a few inches long and weigh just a few ounces, they are used to power the vast majority of home, commercial and industrial small machinery.

Types of fractional horse power machines include gear, fan, shaded pole, permanent split capacitor and split-phase. They are most often electric and can be either AC or DC. DC motors, used exclusively in the automotive industry, are gaining in other sectors because they're more energy efficient. Besides automotive applications, fractional horsepower electric motors are widely used in the following industries:

1. Appliance, both small and large

2. Heating and air-conditioning installation

3. Computers and office equipment, especially fractional horsepower high efficiency motors

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compare fractional horsepower motor manufacturers in the appliance industry

The appliance industry uses a variety of sizes and types of fractional motors. Small fractional horsepower AC motors are used in hand held appliances, such as mixers. They also power larger applications, like dish washers, washing machines and dryers.

I recommend: Johnson Motor carries a complete line of DC motors for stand mixers, food processors, hand-held mixers and juicers. Pelonis Technologies also carries a line of AC motors for appliances.

Find fractional horsepower electric motor manufacturers for the heating and air-conditioning markets

Fractional horsepower fan motors are used to power furnace and air-conditioner fans. Other applications include exhaust ventilators, attic exhaust fans, circulating fans and industrial blowers. These types of fractional motors range from 1/20 hp to 3 hp.

I recommend: Johnstone Supply is a distributor of fractional horsepower motors, including air conditioning motors and air conditioning blower motors. March Pumps is a manufacturer of sub-fractional horsepower motors and shaded pole induction motors ranging in horsepower from 1/250 hp to 1/10 hp serving the refrigeration, air conditioning and heating markets.

Purchase fractional hp motors for office machinery applications

While demand in other markets remains stable, the demand for fractional horsepower high efficiency motors for business equipment, telecommunications and robotics is poised to explode. Trends are toward modules and miniaturization.

I recommend: Buehler Motor is a manufacturer of sub-fractional horsepower DC permanent magnet motors for office equipment and robotics. Hurst Manufacturing offers precision fractional horsepower motors for printers and copiers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Replacement demand for fractional horsepower motors is limited because they often out-last the end-use product.
• •  Competition from Asian markets has forced small and medium fractional horsepower manufacturers in the U.S. to move toward custom manufacturing and specialized motors.