What is the Harrington NER/ER Electric Chain Hoist?
Harrington has been in the hoist industry for more than 150 years and has become a trusted, well-known manufacturer of various types of lifting equipment and components. Among its electric chain hoist product line, the NER/ER series is a popular three-phase option that is designed for frequent lifting and the toughest of environments.
The Harrington NER/ER electric chain hoist is available in a wide range of capacities and configurations to accommodate different lifting requirements. Standard models range from ⅛ to 5 tons, and larger capacity models are available from 8 to 20 tons. Depending on the application, these hoists can be hook mounted or paired with a push, geared, or motorized trolley.
In this blog, we’ll break down some of the NER/ERs key features, where the hoists are commonly used, and what to consider when determining if the NER/ER is the right electric chain hoist for your application.
What Makes the Harrington NER/ER Different?
The NER/ER has a compact, low-headroom design, and features a die-cast aluminum body, enclosed fan-cooled motor, heat-treated gears, and a count hour meter that can help with preventative maintenance. The hoist body is also rated IP55 which helps provide protection against dust and water exposure.
While the NER and ER share many of the same features and both use Harrington’s Guardian Smart Brake technology, the ER also includes a secondary mechanical load brake.
- Duty Cycle & Motor Design
The Harrington NER/ER is ASME H4 duty rated and is designed for frequent operation in demanding lifting environments. It features a fan-cooled, 60-minute motor that can achieve up to 360 starts per hour. Compared with more basic hoist designs that may use a typical 30-minute, non-ventilated motor, and a grease gearbox, the NER/ERs fan-cooled motor and oil-bath gearbox help manage heat buildup and provide longer operating periods.
- Guardian Smart Brake Technology
Backed by a 10-year warranty, the NER/ER comes standard with Harrington’s Guardian Smart Brake Technology and an electrical failsafe design. The brake is designed to engage if power is lost so there will be no dropping of the load. The brake is also designed with large windings to minimize heat buildup and wear during operation. For applications requiring an additional braking system, the ER model also includes a secondary load brake.
- Nickel-Plated Load Chain
The NER/ER comes standard with a Grade 80 DIN nickel-plated load chain. This material provides better corrosion resistance than over black chains and other coating materials. Harrington also uses a shorter, narrower link profile designed to increase the contact area which helps with wear resistance and overall strength for frequent lifting applications.
- Protection and Weatherproofing
The NER/ER is designed with added protection against harsh environments including dust and water exposure. The hoist body carries an IP55 enclosure rating, while the pendant control is rated IP65. These ratings help make the NER/ER suitable for a variety of both indoor and outdoor applications.
- Variable Frequency Drive & Load Control
Dual-speed NER/ER models come standard with a variable frequency drive (VFD), which provides greater control when lifting and lowering loads. The speeds can be easily adjusted by removing the control cover and accessing the drive and making the appropriate adjustments as needed.
Where Are Harrington NER/ER Hoists Used?
The NER/ER is well suited for a variety of industrial applications. Due to its features and functionality, ideal environments would include manufacturing facilities, assembly operations, automotive facilities, mills, fabrication, and other operations that require frequent lifting.
While the NER/ER is built for demanding industrial environments, the standard model is not designed for applications where fire or explosive hazards exist. These environments require a hoist that is specifically rated for hazardous locations such as the Harrington RNER2 HazLoc Electric Hoists.
Maintenance & Inspections
Like any hoist, regular inspections and preventive maintenance are important for keeping the NER/ER running properly. ASME requires both frequent and periodic inspections based on how often the hoist is used and the severity of the application.
For normal service, frequent inspections should be performed weekly to monthly, with periodic inspections completed at least once a year by a designated person.
For heavy service, frequent inspections should be performed weekly to monthly, with periodic inspections completed at least semiannually by a designated person.
For severe service, frequent inspections should be performed daily to weekly, with periodic inspections completed at least quarterly by a designated person.
Inspection and maintenance requirements can vary depending on the application, operating environment, frequency of use, and condition of the equipment. Regular inspection of the load chain, hooks, braking system, limit devices, controls, and other components can help identify wear or damage before a larger problem develops.
Is the Harrington NER/ER the Right Solution for You?
The Harrington NER/ER electric chain hoist has a proven design for reliability, control, and frequent operation. Its ASME H4 classification, fan-cooled motor, nickel-plated load chain, Guardian Smart Brake, available VFD control, and IP55 hoist enclosure make it an ideal option for a wide range of industrial lifting applications.
When choosing the right hoist, the capacity, lift height, duty cycle, operating environment, required lifting speed, suspension, available headroom, power supply, and maintenance requirements should all be considered before selecting the one for your facility.
Harrington offers many other electric hoist configurations in addition to the standard NER/ER models such as food-grade, hazardous-location, single-phase, and other specialized options.
At Engineered Systems, our team works with customers to evaluate their lifting requirements and determine the hoist that best fits their needs. We also provide Harrington hoists, replacement parts, inspections, repairs, and ongoing service to support your equipment throughout all cycles of its operating life.
Contact us today to check our current Harrington hoist availability or discuss your lifting needs!
