Keys to Preventing Motor Failure

Electric Motors are the silent workhorses of any industry. They are the ones responsible for the smooth and effective running of the industrial plants. If one of them fails, then it can lead to costly downtime for the plant and disrupt the normal flow of operations. Hence, it is essential to ensure that most of the causes that can lead to motor failures are taken care of. This will go towards increasing the lifespan of the electric motor from a couple of years to more than a decade.

It has to be understood that in spite of best preventive maintenance some degradation is bound to occur; however, if the symptoms are detected early then total failure can be avoided. Firstly, it helps if you get a good quality electric motor such as the Crompton Greaves electric motors so as to avoid major breakdown problems.

Amongst the various causes of failures, bearing failures account for a major cause. There are several reasons that damage a bearing like excessive application of lubricant, wrong lubrication interval, incorrect or contaminated lubricant, misaligned couplings or incorrect replacement bearings. It is most necessary in this context, to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on lubrication and its intervals strictly.

Adoption of Vibration trending is useful so that any bearing problems can be detected well in time for doing correct intervention. This willprevent the electric motor from being damaged beyond repair.

Motor insulation and windings can give rise to number of potential issues. Overheating, cycling and flexing, insulation breakdown are some of the problems occurring in this area. Using MCE testing and thermography can be of help in detecting these problems.

Mechanical ultrasound as well as other ultrasound applications help in detecting Stage 1 failures. Incorporate the ultrasound assisted lubrication program so as to avoid failures created due to incorrect lubrication. This device also detects electrical failures like arching, rotor imbalance and alignment, rotor bar problems etc.

In hazardous working environments, it is advisable to use flameproof electric motors like the Crompton Greaves flameproof electric motors.

Various tasks on a continuous basis have to be performed so that your electric motors remain in peak conditions for a long time. Ensure that your electric motors are always kept clean and at right temperatures with continuous airflow. Moisture should not be allowed to contaminate the stored motors. Chemicals should also be kept far away from them so as to prevent any contamination. The electric motors should be repaired from certified motor repair shops so that further damage due to improper repairs does not take place.

Keeping in mind the above mentioned points it definitely pays to get your electric motor requirements fulfilled from S.C. Industrial Syndicate being one of the biggest and most established houses of electric motor dealers in Mumbai.