Service Factor (motor)

This defines a margin of safety that allows for
those times when motors might be operated
above their rated horsepower. This service
factor protects the motor against damage that
might be caused by the occasional excessive
load.
When used on a motor nameplate, a number
which indicates how much above the nameplate
rating a motor can be loaded without causing
serious degradation (i.e., a motor with 1.5 S-F
can produce 15% greater torque than one with
1.0 S-F.) When used in applying motors or
gearmotors, it is a figure of merit which is used
to adjust measured loads in an attempt to
compensate for conditions which are difficult to
measure or define.