BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS

PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

MOTOR SOLO RUN PROCEDURE

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 BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS
PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

1. Motor Types and Introduction.

Motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy by the interaction between the
magnetic fields set up in the stator and rotor windings. Industrial electric motors can be
broadly classified as induction motors, direct current motors or synchronous motors. All
motor types have the same four operating components: stator (stationary windings),
rotor (rotating windings), bearings, and frame (enclosure).

2. Motor Solo Run or No Load test

Motor Solo Run or the commonly called “no load test” will be performed in all of the
motors installed in the industries for efficient process requirement. The simp lest of these
techniques is no-load testing. As the name implies, “no-load” consists of applying rated
voltage and/or frequency to the motor with “no load” (nothing) coupled to the shaft. The
resulting current and power are measured and compared to limits derived from “master
motors” for acceptance. Additional major external checkout is to determine the speed,
direction of rotation and vibration. Field test for determining motor efficiency and
reliability is beyond of this scope as it is factory tested at manufacturer or vendor`s
workshop.

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 BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS
PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

3. Purpose of Solo Run

The primary Purpose of procedure to identify below: -

1. To determine by functional testing that all components and devices operate,

control

, and perform in accordance with approved design documents.

2. To verify, during operation, that the motor is suitable for the service intended and
installed properly
3. To provide baseline data for future evaluation of AC motors tested during routine
maintenance.

4. Test Equipment Used for Solo Run test

 Clamp-on Ammeter
 Insulation Resistance Tester
 Multi-meter
 Stopwatch
 Surface Pyrometer or applicable temperature measuring device (Where automatic
measuring equipment is available it should be used.)
 Vibration Analyzer (Where automatic measuring equipment is available it should be
used.)
 Noise Meter
 Tachometer

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 BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS
PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

5. PRE-REQUISITES
Prior to performing this test, verify that all circuit breakers, fuses, starters, and ove A
functional test of the motor control circuit has been completed.

Check that Start and Stop pushbuttons on the switchgear cause the contactor to be
energized and de-energized respectively;

Check that the remote control circuits (start and stop) also cause the contactor to
operate;

Check that all the motor protection relays cause the contacto r to be de-energized.

Communications shall be established between control and monitoring areas during the
performance of this test.

6. MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR INDUCTION MOTOR

 Work Permit shall be prepared prior to start any activities. All safety materials and
equipment (warning signs, barricades, fire extinguisher, etc.) must be in place at
work area.
 Initial and date the results of the following instructions and tests on attachments
to this procedure.
 Inspect the foundation and ensure that the motor is properly secured.
 Visually inspect the motor for proper grounding.
 If it is not feasible to uncouple the motor and driven equipment, note so in the
remarks section and state why and how the motor was tested.
 Prior to uncoupled operation, coupling halves shall be tied back to prevent the
coupling halves from contacting any rotating members (if necessary).
 Verify by visual inspection or record check that the motor has been lubricated.

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 BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS
PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

 If possible, manually rotate the shaft and check for free rotatio n. Note any
unusual noise or drag effects.
 Where applicable, verify that the bearing cooling water system is operating
properly.
 Where grease is used for lubricant, remove grease plug from one side of
each bearing to allow for initial grease expansion.
 Positively confirm that the motor to be energized is connected to the correct
controlling device (switch, starter, or breaker) by verifying the cable tags and
by one of the following methods:

For motors that can be manually rotated:

 Connect a multi-meter (low DC volt scale) at controller and observe
while turning motor.
 For motors that cannot be manually rotated:
 Motor with terminal strip (example: MOV): Check continuity of circuit
to motor termination.
 Motor without terminal strip (example: Chem. Feed Pump): Energize
circuit with single-phase 120 VAC and check by “tic-tracer” or multi-
meter
 Measure motor winding and feeder circuit resistance, exciter
resistance if synchronous motor and record results, if applicable.
 Perform and evaluate an insulation resistance test in accordance with
project test procedures.
 Verify that the motor space heater (when installed) is energized when
motor is de-energized.
 Verify proper rotation of motor shaft by “bumping” the motor ON/OFF.
Correct rotation if necessary by exchanging two phases of the motor
feed.

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 BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS
PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

NOTE: Rotation may also be checked using a phase rotation meter, but if
bumping is used verify that incorrect rotation will not damage the motor. Before
restarting, make sure that the shaft has stopped rotating.
Start the motor and check for proper operation. Let the motor to run for a period of (4)
hours. During the test, check the motor for excessive vibration or temperature. Record
current and voltage readings.

 Motor no-load test shall be stopped if any abnormalities occurred which may
damage the motor.
 Where applicable, visually verify that the oil rings are properly distributing oil to
the bearings.
 Record and evaluate all the required data on attachments.
 During operational testing, note any unusual noises or physical changes in the
remarks section of the data sheet.
 Monitor and evaluate all bearing temperatures. Operate the motor until the
bearing temperatures have stabilized and record the readings.

NOTE: Where winding temperatures detecting devices are provided, they should
also be monitored and the results recorded in the remarks section.

 For motors 25 HP or greater, record motor vibration measurements in accordance

with the test equipment manufacturer’s instruction manual. Record results on
Attachment 3 of this procedure.
 Verify scribe on the rotor shaft is correct to indicate the magnetic center of the
motor (as applicable).
 Stop the motor.
 Restore motor control circuits to pretest conditions.

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 BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS
PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

7. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
 Motor controls shall correctly respond to control and actuation signals, and
the associated indications shall properly reflect circuit status.
 Motors must rotate in the proper direction as required by the driven
equipment and as indicated in the manufacturer’s instruction manual.
 All recorded data for uncoupled runs shall be evaluated by the test engineer
and be compatible with the nameplate data and the design data for the
system.
 Vibration measurement readings shall be compared to vendor manual. If
readings are below the fair band, they shall generally be considered
acceptable. The test engineer or designee will evaluate equipment that has
questionable vibration readings on an individual basis.

NOTE: Uncoupled motors that exhibit questionable vibration reading should also
be compared with the vibration requirements or NEMA Standard MG-1
reproduced below.

The vibration limits prescribed by NEMA MG-1-20.52 are:

Speed: RPM Amplitude: Inches-Peak to Peak

 3000 RPM and above 0.001

 1500 – 2999 0.002
 1000 – 1499 0.0025
 999 and below 0.003
 Motor insulation resistance shall be acceptable in accordance with the project
technical specifications.
 The running current of each phase of the motor shall not vary by more than 8%
from the arithmetic average of all the phases. Where variance is greater than 8%,
an evaluation should be made by engineering as to the causes.
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 BERRI DEVELOPMENT ONSHORE FLOWLINES & TIE INS
PROJECT
MOTOR SOLO RUN TEST PROCEDURE FOR
INDUCTION MOTOR
Contract No./BI: 6600044385 / BI-10-09561 Date Issued : 26 NOV 2023
Document No : RTCC-1580-QM- Revision No. : C01

NOTE: The 8 percent limit in phase current variance is imposed to avoid

excessive heating effects at full load current. This requirement is not for
running currents more than 8 percent below the full load rating as the heating
effects are different.

8. PRECAUTIONS AND LIMITATIONS

It must be positively confirmed that the motor to be run is connected to the correct
controlling device (switch, starter, or breaker).

 Do not “MEGGER” equipment with solid -state components.

 Applicable project tagging procedures shall be followed when performing test.
 Coupling guards shall be installed as soon as practical.
 Do not exceed manufacturer’s starting limitations.
 AC motors are generally tested uncoupled, where possible, and then coupled.
Coupled testing should be with the system conditions as near normal or design as
possible. When circumstances are such that normal operating conditions cannot be
attained, the highest load possible shall be placed on the motor so that meaningful
test data may be obtained and evaluated, and a reasonable evaluation of the
motor’s adequacy for the intended service may be made.
 AC motors should be completed perfectly preparation to start mechanically,
electrically, and instrumentally.