
5 Tips to Maintain your Electric Motor
- October 8, 2024
- 0
Electric motors are a vital component in enhancing the profitability and productivity of a company. With technological advancements, electric motors have become more competent and dependable; however, sometimes, they fail to perform.
Like any other electrical equipment, regular maintenance is essential to ensure that the electric motor is producing the proper amount of power for the job and is doing so without excessive strain. Therefore, to keep your electric motor in its best condition, it must be provided with appropriate maintenance and a favorable operating environment. Proper care also helps detect and identify potential problems that the motor may face so that you can address those issues and reduce your unexpected repair expenses.
Below, we have mentioned five basic tips for maintaining an electric motor for your equipment.
1. Ensure Proper Lubrication
As we know, lubrication is essential for increasing the life of a bearing. Most people use oil or grease for lubrication but don’t know how much lubricant will be used. Using the correct quantity and type of fat at the right interval is crucial because both over and under-greasing harm the bearing.
2. Timely Visual Inspections
Sometimes, you can avoid a major problem with a simple, quick visual inspection. Just by inspecting your electric motor’s physical condition, you can find some important details. This includes checking for corrosion signs, dirt buildup on components, overheating, or any peculiar burnt odor.
3. Check the Bearings
Maintaining electrical equipment requires planning and inspecting. If the bearings are too hot or create excessive noise and vibration, it indicates poor lubrication, dirt buildup, and wear and tear. Therefore, ensure you know all the maintenance requirements of the different kinds of bearings used in the plant.
4. Perform Vibration Tests
Most of the time, failure of motor bearings or windings is linked to excessive vibrations, which are difficult to detect manually. A defective sleeve, ball bearings, or improper balance often results in such vibration. Therefore, perform some tests, like field vibration analysis, which assess the exact frequency vibration and identify the precise cause of palpitations.
5. Use Infrared Thermography
Infrared thermography is the latest inspection method, a non-invasive form of checkup. This method uses an infrared camera to observe the temperature and thermal patterns when the equipment functions at full load. The thermal images provide a temperature profile of the electric motor. Thus, the infrared camera can detect any unstable voltage in the form of a thermal image. Any problem, such as insufficient airflow, insulation malfunction, or defect in the stator, can be found.
In addition to the maintenance mentioned above tips, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The quality of the electric motor and lubricants also play a vital role in determining your motor’s performance. A planned and periodic inspection is essential to prevent your electric motor from potential breakdowns. Moreover, if your workers are attentive, they can easily identify problems with machinery, such as unusual burning smells, excess heat in bearings, or strange sounds or vibrations.