Electric Motor Testing Article

Knowledge of the basics together with powerful new test equipment vastly simplifies the job.

Electric motor testing article.

This article describes a c electrical motor troubleshooting. After bearing failure electrical faults are the most common mode of motor failure so in addition a properly planned electrical testing scheme is important for making sure of the plant reliability. Electrical motor testing evaluates static parameters such as insulation the barriers between winding interconnections winding to earth wire damage current leakage and or dynamic parameters such as balance temperature rise distortion etc. This might result in unexpected motor failures when critical services from such motors are required affecting availability of plants.

The electric version features an sp260d motor by siemens whose maximum power output is 260 kw 348 horsepower while peak torque comes in at 1 000 nm 737 pound feet. Electric motors have had a reputation for being a mix of science and magic. Testing of a three phase electric motor has to be conducted in order to get continuous services from motors without any break down or failure. The power quality supplying the motor the motor itself and the driven load.

So when a motor fails to operate it may not be obvious what the problem is. How to test a 3 phase motor is discussed in this article. But smart companies understands is that what this means for maintenance programs is billions of dollars of lost revenue through increased motor repair costs downtime and waste in industrial and commercial companies. Electric motor testing is usuallly the first thing to be sacrificed when cutting back on operational expenses.

Mechanical motor testing often includes evaluating a motor s rotor for cracks and shorted laminations. Static electric motor testing looks at the motor s insulation system while online or dynamic electric motor monitoring can identify issues regarding power quality and load issues. A motor is one part of a machine system and there are three areas of concern we must address. The electric power research institute epri conducted a survey which brought into the light that 48 of motor failures are because of electrical failures.

Electric motor test repair guide. To check an electric motor to see why it failed look at the outside for signs of debris that has been sucked into the motor windings as well as broken mounting holes or feet and darkened paint that could indicate excessive heat.