Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Motor Maintenance and Testing TG 5-29-13
Motor Maintenance and Testing TG 5-29-13
Congress
passed
the
Energy
Independence
and
Security
Act
of
2007
(EISA).
This
law
requires
that
all
general
purpose,
three-‐phase
AC
industrial
motors
from
1
to
500
horsepower
that
are
manufactured
for
sale
in
the
United
States
Dec.
19,
2010
and
later
will
need
to
meet
mandated
efficiency
standards.
Motors
currently
in
service
are
exempt.
According
to
The
Department
of
Energy,
the
new
energy
efficient
motors
can
cost
10-‐15%
more
than
standard
motors.
Can
you
afford
to
replace
all
your
motors,
or
can
you
afford
a
more
effective
motor
maintenance
program.
I
had
to
check
the
10-‐15%
cost
for
myself,
from
a
well
known
motor
supplier:
300hp
1200rpm
S449LS
460v
SD100
1LE23214FC112AA3
$55,251.00
300hp
1200rpm
S449LS
460v
SD100
1LE23014FC112AA3
$35,702.00
From
this
manufacturer,
the
“old”
motors
are
...230...,
the
“new”
NEMA
Premium
motors
are
...232...
they,
however,
are
not
10-‐15%
more.
They
are
35%
more...
Again,
in-‐service
motors
are
exempt,
as
long
as
they
keep
running...
Motor
Maintenance:
Introduction
The
key
to
minimizing
motor
problems
is
scheduled
routine
maintenance.
Including
the
motors
in
the
maintenance
schedule
for
the
general
plant
equipment
is
usually
sufficient.
A
motor
may
require
additional
or
more
frequent
attention
if
a
breakdown
would
cause
health
or
safety
problems,
severe
loss
of
production,
damage
to
expensive
equipment
or
other
serious
losses.
Written
records
indicating
the
date,
items
inspected,
service
performed
and
the
motor
condition
are
important
to
an
effective
routine
maintenance
program.
From
these
records,
a
predictive
maintenance
program
can
be
developed.
To
maintain
efficiency
in
older
motors,
it’s
important
to
look
at
what
makes
new
motors
more
efficient.
An
electric
motor
loses
efficiency
several
different
ways,
but
the
largest
amount
of
loss
comes
from
power
losses
caused
by
the
resistance
of
current
flow
through
the
motor.
This
resistance
not
only
loses
power,
but
it
also
generates
heat.
To
reduce
resistance,
premium
efficient
motors
contain
about
20%
more
copper
than
standard
efficiency
motors.
This
means
that
in
addition
to
saving
energy,
premium
efficient
motors
will
generate
less
heat,
which
is
a
benefit
if
the
motor
is
working
in
an
air
conditioned
environment.
Less
heat
also
means
less
wear
and
tear
on
the
motor,
so
premium
efficient
motors
generally
last
longer
than
standard
efficiency
motors.
Another
way
an
electric
motor
loses
efficiency
is
via
slip
losses.
Slip
is
the
difference
in
rpm
between
the
rotational
speed
of
the
magnetic
field
and
the
actual
rpm
of
the
shaft.
To
reduce
this
slip,
premium
efficient
motors
have
greater
mass
and
conductivity
in
their
rotor
conductors.
In
order
to
maintain
peek
efficiency
in
older
motors,
it
is
important
to
reduce
power
loss
due
to
overheating,
and
slip.
The
routine
inspection
and
servicing
can
generally
be
done
without
disconnecting
or
disassembling
the
motor.
It
involves
the
following
factors:
To
reduce
power
loss
due
to
heat:
Vacuum
accumulated
dirt
from
the
frame
and
air
passages
of
the
motor.
Dirty
motors
run
hot
when
dirt
clogged
passages
reduce
cooling
air
flow.
Heat
reduces
insulation
life
and
eventually
causes
motor
failure.
Feel
for
air
flow
at
the
motor
cooling
air
ports.
If
the
flow
is
weak
the
internal
air
passages
are
probably
clogged.
Remove
the
motor
from
service
and
clean
it.
Bearing
Lubrication
Lubricate
the
bearings
only
when
scheduled
or
if
they
are
noisy
or
running
hot.
Do
NOT
over-‐
lubricate
bearings.
Excessive
grease
and
oil
creates
dirt
and
can
cause
damage
to
the
bearings.
As
a
general
rule,
fractional
horsepower
motors
with
a
wick
lubrication
system
should
be
oiled
every
2000
hours
of
operation
or
at
least
annually.
Dirty,
wet
or
corrosive
locations
or
heavy
loading
may
require
oiling
at
three-‐month
intervals
or
more
often.
Heat
Feel
the
motor
frame
and
bearings
for
excessive
heat
or
vibration.
Listen
for
abnormal
noise.
All
indicate
a
possible
system
failure.
Promptly
identify
and
eliminate
the
source
of
the
heat,
noise
or
vibration.
Overheating
results
from
a
variety
of
different
motor
problems.
They
can
be
grouped
as
follows:
1.
WRONG
MOTOR:
It
may
be
too
small
or
have
the
wrong
starting
torque
characteristics
for
the
load.
2.
POOR
COOLING:
Accumulated
dirt
or
poor
motor
location
may
prevent
the
free
flow
of
cooling
air
around
the
motor.
In
other
cases,
the
motor
may
draw
heated
air
from
another
source.
Internal
dirt
or
damage
can
prevent
proper
air
flow
through
all
sections
of
the
motor.
Dirt
on
the
frame
may
prevent
transfer
of
internal
heat
to
the
cooler
ambient
air.
3.
OVERLOADED
DRIVEN
MACHINE:
Excess
loads
or
jams
in
the
driven
machine
force
the
motor
to
supply
higher
torque,
draw
more
current
and
overheat.
Table
1.
Motor
Operating
Conditions
Motor
Light
Standard
Heavy
Severe
Horsepower
Duty(a)
Duty(b)
Duty(c)
Duty(d)
Up
to
7-‐1/2
10
years
7
years
4
years
9
months
10
to
40
7
years
4
years
1-‐1/2
years
4
months
50
to
150
4
years
1-‐1/2
years
9
months
3
months
Over
150
1
year
6
months
3
months
2
months
a.
Light
Duty:
Motors
operate
infrequently
(1
hour/day
or
less)
as
in
portable
floor
sanders,
valves,
door
openers.
b.
Standard
Duty:
Motors
operate
in
normal
applications
(1
or
2
work
shifts).
Examples
include
air
conditioning
units,
conveyors,
refrigeration
apparatus,
laundry
machinery,
woodworking
and
textile
machines,
water
pumps,
machine
tools,
garage
compressors.
c.
Heavy
Duty:
Motors
subjected
to
above
normal
operation
and
vibration
(running
24
hours/day,
365
days/year).
Such
operations
as
in
steel
mill
service,
coal
and
mining
machinery,
motor-‐generator
sets,
fans,
pumps.
d.
Severe
Duty:
Extremely
harsh,
dirty
motor
applications.
Severe
vibration
and
high
ambient
conditions
often
exist.
4.
EXCESSIVE
FRICTION:
Misalignment,
poor
bearings
and
other
problems
in
the
driven
machine,
power
transmission
system
or
motor
increase
the
torque
required
to
drive
the
loads,
raising
motor
operating
temperature.
5.
ELECTRICAL
OVERLOADS:
An
electrical
failure
of
a
winding
or
connection
in
the
motor
can
cause
other
windings
or
the
entire
motor
to
overheat.
Noise
and
Vibration
Noise
indicates
motor
problems
but
ordinarily
does
not
cause
damage.
Noise,
however,
is
usually
accompanied
by
vibration.
Vibration
can
cause
damage
in
several
ways.
It
tends
to
shake
windings
loose
and
mechanically
damages
insulation.
Vibration
can
speed
bearing
failure
by
causing
balls
to
"brinnell,"
sleeve
bearings
to
be
pounded
out
of
shape
or
the
housings
to
loosen
in
the
shells.
Whenever
noise
or
vibrations
are
found
in
an
operating
motor,
the
source
should
be
quickly
isolated
and
corrected.
What
seems
to
be
an
obvious
source
of
the
noise
or
vibration
may
be
a
symptom
of
a
hidden
problem.
Therefore,
a
thorough
investigation
is
often
required.
Noise
and
vibrations
can
be
caused
by
a
misaligned
motor
shaft
or
electrical
or
mechanical
unbalance
in
the
motor.
After
checking
the
motor
shaft
alignment,
disconnect
the
motor
from
the
driven
load.
If
the
motor
then
operates
smoothly,
look
for
the
source
of
noise
or
vibration
in
the
driven
equipment.
If
the
disconnected
motor
still
vibrates,
remove
power
from
the
motor.
If
the
vibration
stops,
look
for
an
electrical
unbalance.
If
it
continues
as
the
motor
coasts
without
power,
look
for
a
mechanical
unbalance.
Electrical
unbalance
occurs
when
the
magnetic
attraction
between
stator
and
rotor
is
uneven
around
the
periphery
of
the
motor.
This
causes
the
shaft
to
deflect
as
it
rotates
creating
a
mechanical
unbalance.
Electrical
unbalance
usually
indicates
an
electrical
failure
such
as
an
open
stator
or
rotor
winding,
an
open
bar
or
ring
in
squirrel
cage
motors
or
shorted
field
coils
in
synchronous
motors.
An
uneven
air
gap,
usually
from
badly
worn
sleeve
bearings,
also
produces
electrical
unbalance.
The
chief
causes
of
mechanical
unbalance
include
a
distorted
mounting,
bent
shaft,
poorly
balanced
rotor,
loose
parts
on
the
rotor
or
bad
bearings.
Noise
can
also
come
from
the
fan
hitting
the
frame,
shroud,
or
foreign
objects
inside
the
shroud.
If
the
bearings
are
bad,
as
indicated
by
excessive
bearing
noise,
determine
why
the
bearings
failed.
Windings
When
records
indicate
a
tendency
toward
periodic
winding
failures
in
the
application,
check
the
condition
of
the
insulation
with
an
insulation
resistance
test.
This
test
is
especially
important
for
motors
operated
in
wet
or
corrosive
atmospheres
or
in
high
ambient
temperatures.
Brushes
and
Commutators
Observe
the
brushes
while
the
motor
is
running.
The
brushes
must
ride
on
the
commutator
smoothly
with
little
or
no
sparking
and
no
brush
noise
(chatter).
Stop
the
motor.
Be
certain
that:
The
brushes
move
freely
in
the
holder
and
the
spring
tension
on
each
brush
is
about
equal.
Every
brush
should
have
a
polished
surface
over
the
entire
working
face
indicating
good
seating.
The
commutator
should
be
clean,
smooth
and
have
a
polished
brown
surface
where
the
brushes
ride.
There
should
be
no
grooving
of
the
commutator
(small
grooves
around
the
circumference
of
the
commutator).
Replace
the
brushes
if
there
is
any
chance
they
will
not
last
until
the
next
inspection
date.
Streaking
or
grooving
can
result
from
a
load
mismatch
and
cause
motor
electrical
problems.
Grooved
commutators
should
be
removed
from
service.
A
brassy
appearance
shows
excessive
wear
on
the
surface
resulting
from
low
humidity
or
wrong
brush
grade.
Motor
Testing:
Test
Sequence
Coil
Resistance
Test
Megger
Surge
Coil
Resistance
Uses
a
DLRO
or
Kelvin
Bridge
(4-‐point)
Looks
for
an
imbalance
between
phases
Compare
to
previous
tests
Coil
Resistance
Typical
problems
found
-‐
Hard
shorts
to
the
core
-‐
Hard
shorts
between
coils
-‐
Improper
wire
used
during
re-‐wind
-‐
Loose
connection
(coil
to
junction
box)
-‐
Corrosion
Do
not
continue
other
tests
until
readings
are
okay.
Megger
Test
DC
Test
Test
voltage
is
based
on
NP
and
testing
guidelines.
1.7
x
Line
Voltage
–
480
x
1.7
=
816VDC
Compare
to
previous
results
If
readings
are
low:
-‐
Burned
or
damaged
insulation
(slot
liner
insulation)
-‐
Burned
or
damaged
insulation
(wire-‐insulation)
-‐
Contamination
–
(dirt,
water,
etc.)
-‐
Bad
coil
connections
-‐
Wrong
insulation
used
to
connect
coils
to
junction
box
Hipot
Test
DC
voltage
is
preferred
Sometimes
known
as:
Overpotential
test
Proof
test
Can
be
performed
as
Polarization
Index
Step
Voltage
Performed
by
Manufacturer
Performed
in
the
field
Performed
in
the
shop
Hipot
Test
Looks
for
excessive
leakage
current
that
arcs
across
the
insulation
Detects
failure
in
the
ground
wall
insulation
consisting
of:
-‐
Wire
insulation
-‐
Slot
liner
insulation
-‐
Wedges
-‐
varnish
Failure
indicates:
-‐
Failed
motor
slot
liner
-‐
Failed
wedges
-‐
Failed
wiring
between
coils
and
junction
box
Hipot
Test
Test
voltage
is
based
on
NP
and
standards
In
service
motors
2
x
NP
+
1000V
2
x
460
+
1000
=
1920V
New
motors
(Multiply
by
1.2
or
even
1.7)
2
x
NP
+
1000V
x
1.2
2
x
460
+
1000
x
1.2
=
2304V
2
x
NP
+
1000V
x
1.7
2
x
460
+
1000
x
1.7
=
3264V
Surge
Tester
Applies
a
voltage
across
the
winding
This
creates
a
potential
across
the
length
of
the
winding
The
potential
will
stress
the
insulation
between
turns
The
winding
responds
to
the
surge
with
a
ringing
or
damping
waveform
Surge
Tester
The
winding
produces
a
waveform
that
is
directly
related
to
its
inductance.
An
L/C
circuit
is
setup
L
=
winding
inductance
C
=
capacitance
of
the
tester
The
waveform
frequency
is
1/2pi*(LC)1/2
Surge
Tester
Frequency
of
waveform
increases
as
inductance
decreases.
Turn-‐to-‐turn
short
would
cause
the
inductance
to
decrease,
and
the
frequency
would
change.
The
waveform
would
shift
to
the
left.
Surge
Tester
(images)