Knowing the best electric motor repair practices can help reduce potential breakdowns and resulting downtime to keep your production up and running. Having a trusted expert on speed dial (800-713-0103) for when repairs exceed your available resources is equally important.
Here are the best electric motor repair practices if you want to perform maintenance and basic repairs in-house.
Create an Electric Motor Information Database
Assemble the owner or operator guide for each type of electric motor in production or storage. While electric motors share the same basic operating principles, the maintenance schedule, recommended lubricants, torque settings, and part numbers can vary significantly between manufacturers.
Many PDF versions of out-of-print manuals can be found online by entering the motor brand and part number into a search box. Another option is downloading a free copy of the ANSI/EASA Standard AR100-2020: Recommended Practice for the Repair of Rotating Electrical Apparatus. This guide is a must-have resource, outlining the industry-recognized best practices for rewinding and repairing electric motors.
Establish an Inventory of Electric Motor Parts and Supplies
Pull the part numbers for regularly replaced items, such as bearings, shafts, brushes, contacts, and connectors. Maintaining a small parts inventory on-site eliminates the need to chase down parts and lubricants for regular maintenance chores and unexpected repairs.
Supplies include any tools needed for installing, disassembling, and testing the electric motor, which we covered extensively in our recent Basic Electric Motor Testing Tools blog post.
Keep Accurate Records
Effective record-keeping starts with clearly labeling each motor in use. The next step is tracking each motor’s repairs, maintenance, and inspections. These records ensure a better understanding of the motor’s operating condition and performance and can help diagnose problems faster to minimize downtime.
Each electric motor inspection should document any evidence of distress, such as physical damage, overheating, tampering, inappropriate lubrication, electrical tracking, or foreign object damage. Collect and examine any damaged parts or debris from the damaged motor. Whenever possible, obtain information about operating conditions at the time of failure.
Electric Motor Repairs
Always perform a visual inspection before starting any repair or maintenance procedure. With the power source shut off at the panel, inspect the motor for any signs of damage or excessive wear to the exposed wiring, shaft, and motor case.
Next, try turning the shaft by hand. If it doesn’t turn, there may be an issue with the bearings or an internal obstruction. Try turning the shaft again after lubricating the front and rear bearings.
Clean the motor and carefully begin disassembly procedures as outlined in the owner/operator manual. Take plenty of photos during the disassembly process to expedite the reassembly process.
Lay out the parts in a clean area and look for any damage.
- Cracking
- Discoloration
- Contamination
- Abrasion
- Loose connections
- Fretting
- Missing/cracked wire insulation
Internal electrical motor components should be tested, repaired, or replaced if they don’t meet the manufacturer’s specifications. This testing should include.
- Stator
- Pole shoe
- Rotor
- Armature core
- Brush(es)
- Field winding
- Armature winding
- Commutator
Always remember that only a qualified person should perform specific repairs, such as motor rewinding, to ensure maximum worker safety and motor longevity.
Please remember that mechanical repairs could also be necessary after an electric motor inspection. These mechanical repairs can include.
- Shafts
- Bearings
- Retainer seal
- Fan and cover
- Conduit box
- Bearing locks
- End seal
All replacement parts should be equivalent to the manufacturer’s specifications, including the specified amount and type of lubrication.
As part of our pledge to keep you up and running, we’re happy to present information needed to perform maintenance and testing. Please note that this list represents the essential elements to establish the best electric motor repair practices for your shop or company. Due to the variety of electric motors and shop configurations, this list should be customized to meet your specific location and equipment.
Should you have any questions regarding the best electric motor repair practices for your business, the Hi-Speed electric motor experts can be reached at 800-713-0103, or you can send us an email to learn more.