By Thomas J. Copeland, P.E.
Electric motors are the work horses of industry. Their use is so pervasive in our industrial society that approximately 75% of electrical power sold to industry goes to the operation of electric motors. With so many electric motors in operation, it becomes imperative that they be utilized and maintained properly. An electric motor that fails causes delays in production, which in turn impacts the bottom line.
Electric motors come in various shapes and sizes, from single phase motors to three phase motors. Single phase motors output from fractional horsepower (HP) to about 5 HP. At the other end of motor size, there are 3 phase motors which produce thousands of HP. There are also DC motors that cover fractional to several thousand horsepower. It is important to utilize the correct size motor for the application. Use too small a motor and you could cause a failure due to stress, use too big a motor, and you waste energy.
In addition, to considering motor size, additional factors have to be taken into account when assessing electric motors and their uses:
A well maintained motor is the best defense against motor failure. It is important to follow a maintenance schedule for routine maintenance such as lubrication of bearings and brushes. It is also important to conduct periodic current checks for the temperature the motor will be generating. In addition, if a motor has been rebuilt, there may be problems with repair methods, especially in the case of explosion proof motors, which require certification by the repair shop before being put back into production.
As you can see, when electric motors fail, there are many factors that need to be considered. Tom Copeland, P.E., is an Electrical Engineer with over 30 years of industry experience who can assist you with motor failures. You can contact Tom at 888-827-7823 or tom@warren-group.com. You can also view his bio at http://www.warren-group.com/engineers-and-consultants/tom-j-copeland/bio/