The development
The development of fractional horsepower motors (FHP) coincided with the rapid drive toward urban and rural electrification and the development and spread of alternating current (AC) power grids pioneered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. AFHP is generally considered to be an electric motor with a rated output power of 746 Watts or less, although there is not a predefined minimum output; however, it is generally accepted that an FHP motor with a frame size of less than square millimeters can be classed a s micro motor.
Commercial and mass electrification of cities in the United States started in earnest circa 1915 and it was this process of electrification which commenced the realization of the potential market for washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and a host of other commercial appliances. The miniaturization process was recognized and led by major manufacturers including but not limited to Westinghouse and General Electric, companies which were already in the business of manufacturing large motors for industrial installations.
Present day FHP production is driven by demand like most other manufactured products and currently about 35 percent of all FHP units are used in the manufacture, repair and/or servicing of cars, trucks and other powered vehicles. Driving auxiliary applications such as electric windows, wind shield wipers, powered seats and wing mirrors, central locking systems and roof and trunk openers these are just a few of the applications which FHP units are used to power.
The second largest consumer market in which FHP units are used and deployed is in the field of white goods and small domestic appliances; FHP units are used to drive pumps and compressors in refrigerators, coffee machines, washing machines as typical end uses. In the United States and Europe some twelve percent of all manufactured FHP motors and units are used in domestic and consumer products.
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