What Is a Motor Flange? The Complete Engineering Guide to B5, B14 & NEMA C-Face Mounts
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A motor flange is the machined, disc-shaped mounting face on the drive end of an electric motor that lets it bolt directly and coaxially to a pump, 變速箱, or other driven machine — with no separate base or coupling alignment. The flange has a precision spigot (also called a pilot or register) that centers the motor, and a ring of mounting holes on a defined pitch circle diameter (PCD). International standard 國際電工委員會 60034-7 defines flange mounts with IM codes such as IM B5 (large flange, clearance/through holes = FF type) 和 IM B14 (small flange, tapped/threaded holes = FT type); dimensions come from 國際電工委員會 60072. In North America the equivalent concepts are the NEMA C-face (threaded holes) 和 D-flange (through holes) defined in 一氧化氮鎂 1. Choosing the wrong flange type is the single most common motor ordering error.

What Is a Motor Flange? (定義)
A motor flange is a flat, machined ring or plate on the drive end (DE) of a motor that replaces — or supplements — the traditional mounting feet. Instead of resting on a base, a flange-mounted motor is fastened face-to-face onto the driven equipment. Because the flange and its spigot are machined in the same operation as the bearing housing, the motor shaft ends up automatically concentric with the mating bore, so no field alignment is needed.
Every motor flange is built from three functional features, and understanding them is the key to specifying the correct part:
1. The spigot (pilot / register / rabbet)
這 spigot is a short cylindrical shoulder machined concentric to the shaft. It slots into a matching recess in the gearbox or pump housing and does the actual centering work — the bolts only clamp. IEC calls it the spigot or pilot; NEMA calls it the rabbet or register (方面 AK). Its concentricity to the shaft is tightly toleranced under 國際電工委員會 60072-1.
2. The mounting holes and pitch circle diameter (PCD)
The bolt holes sit on a pitch circle diameter (PCD), also called the bolt circle diameter (BCD) or NEMA AJ. The holes are either clearance (through) holes — you pass a bolt through the flange into a tapped machine housing (國際電工委員會 FF / 沒有 D-flange) — or tapped (threaded) holes — you screw a bolt from the machine side into the motor face (國際電工委員會 FT / 沒有 C-face).
3. The flange outer diameter and thickness
These set the envelope and the load path. On a large FF/B5 flange the outer diameter is bigger than the motor body; on a small FT/B14 flange it is usually equal to or smaller than the body. The flange must carry the full cantilevered weight and torque reaction of the motor, so its thickness is a structural, not cosmetic, 方面.

How a Flange Mount Works: 一步一步
- The spigot enters the housing bore. The machined pilot diameter is a close (often h7/H8) slip fit into the mating recess of the gearbox, pump adapter, or bracket. This locates the motor radially and forces the shaft axis to coincide with the driven-shaft axis.
- The faces seat flat. The machined flange face contacts the machine face squarely, setting axial position and squareness (perpendicularity of the shaft to the mounting plane).
- The coupling engages. Because the shaft is now pre-aligned by the spigot, a rigid or short flexible coupling — or a direct splined/keyed input into a gearbox — can be joined without dial-indicator alignment.
- The bolts clamp. Bolts on the PCD are torqued to develop a clamp load that resists the motor’s weight and the reaction torque. Clamp force, not friction from a loose fit, keeps the joint rigid: F = T / (K·d), where T is bolt torque, d bolt diameter, and K the nut factor (~0.2 for dry steel).
- Load transfers through the flange. Weight and vibration flow from the motor, through the flange ring, into the machine structure — which is why flange concentricity and stiffness directly affect bearing life and vibration.
The result is a compact, self-aligning, floor-space-free drive. That is exactly why close-coupled pumps, speed reducers, and OEM machines overwhelmingly use flange motors instead of foot-mounted ones.
Motor Flange Types Compared (國際電工委員會 60034-7)
國際電工委員會 60034-7 assigns each mounting arrangement an 我是 (International Mounting) code. The four flange-related codes below cover almost every industrial flange motor. The most important — and most confused — distinction is B5 vs. B14: B5 has clearance holes (bolt passes through the flange), while B14 has tapped holes (bolt threads into the flange).
| Code | IM number | Flange type | Hole type | Flange vs. body OD | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B5 | 我是 3001 (IM B5) | Large flange (FF) | Clearance / through | Larger than body | 泵, 變速箱, 減速機, agitators |
| B14 | 我是 3601 (IM B14) | Small face flange (FT) | Tapped / threaded | Equal or smaller | Small pumps, 機械工具, compact drives |
| B35 | 我是 2001 (IM B35) | 腳 + large flange | Clearance (FF) + feet | Larger than body | Heavy reducers, 高扭矩, 改造 |
| B34 | 我是 2101 (IM B34) | 腳 + face flange | Tapped (FT) + feet | Equal or smaller | Belt drive + face mount combo, 貼牌生產 |
Vertical variants (shaft down = V1, shaft up = V3/V18) use the same flanges but need thrust-rated bearings and, outdoors, a rain canopy. For a foot-mounted comparison, see our guide to 交流電與. 直流電機.
IEC Flange vs. NEMA Flange (Global Sourcing)
North American equipment uses NEMA MG 1 terminology instead of IM codes. Functionally they map cleanly, but the dimensions and frame numbers differ, so an IEC B5 motor will 不是 bolt to a NEMA D-flange housing without an adapter.
| 特徵 | 國際電工委員會 (60034-7 / 60072) | 沒有 (MG 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Tapped-hole flange | FT flange = B14 | C-face (例如. 56C, 143TC) |
| Through-hole flange | FF flange = B5 | D-flange (例如. 56丁, 254TD) |
| Centering feature | Spigot / pilot / register | Rabbet / register (dim AK) |
| Bolt circle | Pitch circle diameter (PCD) | Bolt circle (dim AJ) |
| Flange OD | Flange outer diameter | 方面 BD |
| Size unit | Millimetres | Inches |
| Dimensional standard | 國際電工委員會 60072-1 | 一氧化氮鎂 1 / 國際電工委員會 60072 |
FF and FT Flange Designations Explained
Under IEC 60072-1, a flange is named by its type letters plus the pitch circle diameter in millimetres. 所以 FF265 means a through-hole (FF) flange with a 265 mm PCD; FT115 means a tapped (FT) flange with a 115 mm PCD. The table pairs common IEC frame sizes with their standard flange.
| IEC frame | Std. B5 flange (FF) | PCD (毫米) | Spigot Ø N (毫米) | Std. B14 flange (FT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63 | FF115 | 115 | 95 | FT75 |
| 71 | FF130 | 130 | 110 | FT85 |
| 80 | FF165 | 165 | 130 | FT100 |
| 90 | FF165 | 165 | 130 | FT115 |
| 100 / 112 | FF215 | 215 | 180 | FT130 |
| 132 | FF265 | 265 | 230 | FT165 |
| 160 | FF300 | 300 | 250 | FT215 |
| 180 | FF300 | 300 | 250 | — |
| 200 | FF350 | 350 | 300 | — |
Spigot diameter “否” is the pilot register the housing bore must match. Values follow IEC 60072-1; always confirm against the specific manufacturer datasheet before machining a mating part.
Motor Flange Engineering Data: Tolerances, Loads & 公式
A flange looks simple, but its performance is governed by tight geometric tolerances and a real mechanical load path. Getting these numbers right is what separates a vibration-free drive from premature bearing failure.
Concentricity and run-out tolerances (國際電工委員會 60072-1)
國際電工委員會 60072-1 defines two tolerance grades for the spigot and face: Normal (否) 和 Reduced (右) for precision applications. The spigot must be concentric to the shaft, and the mounting face perpendicular to it, within these limits (total indicator reading, TIR):
| Spigot Ø N (毫米) | Concentricity — Normal (毫米) | Concentricity — Reduced (毫米) | Face perpendicularity — Normal (毫米) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 250 | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.10 |
| > 250 到 500 | 0.125 | 0.063 | 0.125 |
| > 500 到 800 | 0.16 | 0.08 | 0.16 |
Exceed these and the shaft runs eccentric to the driven bore, injecting a once-per-revolution radial force that shortens bearing L10 life and raises vibration.
Key formulas for flange-mounted drives
- Bolt clamp load: F = T / (K · d) — clamp force F from torque T, bolt diameter d, nut factor K (≈0.20 dry, ≈0.15 lubricated). Under-torqued flange bolts let the joint fret and loosen under vibration.
- Reaction torque on the flange: T = P × 9550 / n (牛頓·米), with power P in kW and speed n in rpm. This is the torque the flange bolt pattern must react at start-up and stall.
- Bolt shear from reaction torque: Fbolt = 2T / (n乙 · PCD) — tangential load per bolt, with n乙 bolts on the pitch circle diameter. Larger PCD = lower per-bolt load.
- Cantilever bending on the flange: M = W · Lcg — motor weight W acting at its center-of-gravity distance Lcg from the flange face; the reason large motors prefer B35 (foot + 法蘭) over B5 alone.
- Bearing L10 life: L10h = (10⁶ / 60n) · (成本/價格)立方 for ball bearings — misalignment from a poor flange fit raises the equivalent load P and cuts life cubically (看 SKF bearing calculator).
工作範例
A 7.5 千瓦, 1,450 rpm B5 motor on an FF265 flange (PCD 265 毫米, 4 bolts): reaction torque T= 7.5 × 9550 / 1450 ≈ 49 牛頓·米. Tangential load per bolt Fbolt = 2 × 49 / (4 × 0.265) ≈ 92 否 — small, so the bolts are sized by clamp/vibration, not shear. This confirms why correct preload torque matters more than bolt count on most flange motors.
Materials and typical thermal limits
Flanges are cast iron (heavy-duty rigidity), 鋁 (light OEM frames), or fabricated/stainless steel (洗滌). Insulation class governs the surface heat the flange transmits into the driven machine: B級 130 ℃, F級 155 ℃, H級 180 ℃ 每 國際電工委員會 60034-1 — relevant when a plastic pump adapter meets a hot motor flange.
Best Applications for Flange-Mounted Motors
| 應用 | Preferred flange | 為什麼 |
|---|---|---|
| Close-coupled centrifugal pumps | B5 / D-flange | Direct axial coupling, self-aligning, no baseplate |
| 變速箱 & speed reducers | B5 / B14 | Motor bolts straight to reducer input bell — see our 變速箱 指導 |
| Compact machine tools & 紡織機 | B14 / C-face | Small footprint, tapped-hole face fits limited space |
| 攪拌機 & agitators (垂直的) | B5 V1 | Shaft-down flange mount with thrust bearing |
| 輸送機 & heavy reducers | B35 (foot + 法蘭) | Flange aligns, feet carry weight & 振動 |
| OEM pump/gear assemblies | B14 / C-face | Standardised pilot for modular, interchangeable builds |
How to Select the Right Motor Flange: 一步一步
- Confirm the standard. 國際電工委員會 (metric, IM codes) or NEMA (inch, C/D-face)? This is set by your existing machine, not preference.
- Read the mating housing. Measure the recess bore (this must equal the motor spigot Ø N / AK) and the bolt circle (PCD / AJ). These two numbers define the flange.
- Identify the hole type. Do bolts pass through the flange into a tapped housing (B5 / D-flange, FF) or thread into the motor face (B14 / C-face, FT)? This is the #1 mistake — verify with a photo or thread gauge.
- Match the frame & 軸. The flange PCD is tied to frame size; also confirm shaft diameter, 長度, and key so the coupling fits.
- Check load direction. Heavy motor, 振動, or overhung load? Step up to B35 (foot + 法蘭) rather than trusting the flange bolts alone.
- Specify tolerance grade. Precision spindles or high-speed pumps warrant the Reduced (右) concentricity grade, not Normal (否).
- Select material & enclosure. Cast iron for industrial rigidity, stainless for washdown, aluminium for light OEM; then pick IP/enclosure rating.
Common Engineering Mistakes with Motor Flanges
- Confusing B5 and B14. They look similar but B5 has clearance holes and B14 has tapped holes. A B14 ordered as B5 will not bolt on. This is the most frequent flange ordering error.
- Matching PCD but ignoring the spigot. Two flanges can share a bolt circle yet have different pilot diameters — the motor won’t center. Always match spigot Ø N (AK) 和 PCD (AJ).
- Mixing IEC and NEMA. An IEC B5 flange will not fit a NEMA D-flange housing; the metric/inch dimensions differ. Use an adapter plate or order to the correct standard.
- Overloading a bare B5 flange. Using flange-only mounting for a heavy or overhung load overstresses the flange bolts and bends the mounting face. Move up to B35.
- Under-torquing the bolts. Insufficient clamp load lets the joint fret, loosen, and shift under vibration. Torque to spec using F = T/(K·d).
- Forcing a vertical mount. Turning a horizontal B5 motor shaft-down without a thrust-rated bearing (and rain canopy outdoors) leads to early bearing failure.
- Paint or burrs on the spigot/face. Contamination breaks the flat face contact and concentric fit, re-introducing the misalignment the flange was meant to remove.
Motor Flange Troubleshooting Table
| 問題 | 可能的原因 | 解決方案 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor won’t bolt to housing | Wrong flange type (B5 vs B14) or IEC/NEMA mismatch | Verify hole type & 標準; use adapter or correct motor |
| Bolts line up but motor won’t seat | Spigot Ø doesn’t match the housing recess | Match pilot register Ø N / AK, not just PCD |
| High vibration after mounting | Spigot concentricity out of tolerance, or burrs/paint on face | Clean & deburr faces; check TIR to IEC 60072-1 年級 |
| Recurring bearing failure | Shaft misalignment from poor flange fit; 懸垂負載 | Re-check spigot fit; add support or switch to B35 |
| Flange bolts keep loosening | Under-torque / no clamp preload; 振動 | Torque to spec, add thread-locker or lock washers |
| Flange face cracked or bent | Overhung/heavy load on flange-only (B5) mount | Upgrade to foot + 法蘭 (B35); check load path |
| Water in motor (vertical mount) | Shaft-up without seal / shaft-down without canopy | Add rain canopy or shaft seal; specify V-mount properly |
| Coupling still needs alignment | Non-precision (Normal) flange used on precision drive | Specify Reduced (右) tolerance grade flange |
常見問題解答
What is a motor flange used for?
A motor flange lets a motor bolt directly and coaxially onto a pump, 變速箱, or machine without a separate base or dial-indicator alignment. The machined spigot centers the shaft automatically, saving floor space and installation time.
What is the difference between a B5 and B14 flange?
A B5 flange is large, has clearance (through) holes, and its outer diameter is bigger than the motor body — the bolt passes through the flange into the machine. A B14 flange is smaller, has tapped (threaded) holes on the face, and the bolt threads into the motor. Confusing the two is the most common ordering error.
What is the spigot (register) on a motor flange?
The spigot — also called the pilot, register, or NEMA rabbet — is a precision machined shoulder concentric to the shaft. It fits into a matching bore in the driven equipment and does the actual centering; the bolts only clamp. Its diameter must match the housing exactly.
Are IEC and NEMA flanges interchangeable?
不. IEC flanges (B5/B14, metric, IM codes) and NEMA flanges (D-flange/C-face, inch) use different dimensions and frame numbering. An IEC motor will not bolt to a NEMA housing without an adapter plate, even if the concepts are equivalent.
What does FF265 or FT115 mean?
Under IEC 60072-1 the number is the pitch circle diameter in millimetres. FF265 is a through-hole flange with a 265 mm PCD; FT115 is a tapped-hole flange with a 115 mm PCD. The letters give the hole type (FF = clearance, FT = tapped).
When should I use B35 instead of B5?
Use B35 (foot + 法蘭) when the motor is heavy, carries an overhung load, or is subject to strong vibration. The feet carry the weight and damp vibration while the flange still aligns the drive — reducing stress on the flange bolts and face.
Why Choose Greensky for Flange-Mounted Motors?
自從 2011, 綠天動力 has engineered 無刷直流電機, 有刷直流電機, 步進電機, 和 變速箱 with correctly machined flanges for OEM customers in over 50 國家. When the mounting interface has to be right the first time, our engineers spec the flange with you — spigot, PCD, tolerance grade, and standard.
- Both standards: IEC B5/B14/B35 and NEMA C-face / D-flange, plus custom pilot diameters.
- Precision machining: spigot concentricity and face perpendicularity held to IEC 60072-1 grades.
- 整合驅動器: 發動機 + gearbox supplied as a matched flange assembly — no adapter guesswork.
- 100% 測試: 每個單元都經過運行測試; 跳動和振動經過驗證.
- 符合標準: 設計符合 IEC 60034 / 一氧化氮鎂 1 實踐; 國際標準化組織, CE認證.
- OEM/ODM support: full engineering help through United Motion Inc. 在北美 & 歐洲.
相關閱讀
參考
- 國際電工委員會 60034-7, Rotating electrical machines — Classification of types of construction, mounting arrangements and terminal box position (IM code). https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/2765
- 國際電工委員會 60072-1, Dimensions and output series for rotating electrical machines — Frame numbers 56 到 400 and flange numbers 55 到 1080. https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/351
- 國際電工委員會 60034-1, 旋轉馬達 — 額定值和性能. https://webstore.iec.ch/publication/60034-1
- 一氧化氮鎂 1, 馬達和發電機 (C-face, D-flange, AJ/AK dimensions). https://www.nema.org/standards/view/motors-and-generators
- 一氧化氮鎂 1-2009 (全文, 法律資源網). https://law.resource.org/pub/us/cfr/ibr/005/nema.mg-1.2009.pdf
- ABB, Low voltage motors — Mounting arrangements and IM codes (technical guide). https://new.abb.com/motors-generators/iec-low-voltage-motors
- 西門子, SIMOTICS General Purpose Motors — Types of construction / 安裝. https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/drives/electric-motors.html
- 斯凱孚, 軸承額定壽命 (L10) and mounting/alignment guidance. https://www.skf.com/group/support/engineering-tools/bearing-calculator
- IEEE標準 112, 多相感應電動機和發電機的測試程序. https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/112/4703/
- 我們. 能源部, 馬達系統 — 節能計劃 (10 CFR部分 431). https://www.energy.gov/eere/motors



