Electric Motor Testing

Ideally the meter should barely move off the highest resistance indication.

Electric motor testing. When a motor isn t working right or fails you can use testing to track down the most probable cause of the problem. A motor is one part of a machine system and there are three areas of concern we must address. Deviations from rated fla could signify problems with the motor under test. Ac and dc brush type motors such as those used in vacuum cleaners and power tools produce high power.

Basic motor testing with multimeters and ammeters. The power quality supplying the motor the motor itself and the driven load. Check c to e s to e r to e. Motors without brushes and commutators such as ac alternating current induction motors last the longest because of few moving parts.

July 1 2015 by david herres 14 comments. Most electric motors whether ac or dc fail after time for reasons that may not be electrical in nature. Electrical motor is the common used in industry all over the world it very important device to made production smoothly to ensure the electrical motor condition is good or not we must know how to testing it. The electric power research institute epri conducted a survey which brought into the light that 48 of motor failures are because of electrical.

The electrician or maintenance person must have this skill to determine the electrical motor condition defected or cannot use anymore it can save. Electric motor testing is usuallly the first thing to be sacrificed when cutting back on operational expenses. Many electric motor failures are caused by bearing failures. The most obvious benefit of testing is troubleshooting.

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. When an electric motor fails to start runs intermittently runs hot or continually trips its overcurrent device there my be a variety of causes. The bearings allow the shaft or rotor assembly to turn freely and smoothly in the frame. And press a test probe to this spot and the other test probe to each of the motor leads one at a time.

Minimum test value for a good electric motor is at least 1mω running amps test with the motor running check the full load amps fla with a suitable meter or preferably a clamp on meter and compare with the motor name plate fla. 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. Testing electric motors doesn t have to be a mystery. Electric motors have had a reputation for being a mix of science and magic.

Sometimes the trouble lies within the power supply. Knowledge of the basics together with powerful new test equipment vastly simplifies the job. Basic motor testing with multimeters and ammeters.