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A coil being placed in an armature

From Coil to Testing Bench: Get the Most Out of Motor Rebuilds

April 15, 2026

Are you needlessly replacing motors? When a motor fails, the decision isn’t always to replace it. In many cases, a properly executed rebuild can restore performance, extend service life, and cost less than a brand-new motor. At HECO, motor rebuilding is more than repair. It’s a disciplined, step-by-step process designed to return equipment to OEM …

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Improve Your Pump Performance with Curves, Controls, and More

March 18, 2026

When it comes to pump performance, efficiency is more than a bonus—it’s essential. At HECO, we’ve seen time and again that the way a pump operates in the system has just as much impact on reliability as the quality of the pump itself. Whether you’re managing a vertical turbine setup in a utility plant, maintaining …

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peristaltic pump application

When is Installing an Ultra-Compact Motor an Ultra Mistake?

January 21, 2026

Recent advances in motor technology have introduced ultra‑compact, high‑power motors, such as direct flux and axial flux designs, that deliver performance comparable to much larger motors but weigh far less. While these motors are promising for new, space-constrained applications, they may not always be ideal for older facilities. HECO can help you understand these motors …

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VFD cabinet

Soft Starters, VFDs, or ATLs: Which Motor Control Wins?

November 12, 2025

Motor control systems are evolving rapidly, and with them, the expectations for reliability, safety, and efficiency. Whether you’re replacing a legacy system or looking to improve process performance, it’s important to understand both the strengths and limitations of today’s most common control solutions. With decades of experience in a variety of industries and applications, HECO …

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Rotating Equipment: The Key to Data Center Cooling and Uptime

October 29, 2025

As demand for cloud computing, AI systems, and digital infrastructure continues to surge, so does the need for large-scale data centers. These power-dense facilities are the backbone of modern innovation, but they rely on often-overlooked components invented almost two centuries ago to stay operational: electric motors. From chillers and pumps to air handling systems, the …

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Commutator showing brush damage

Why Motors Fail: Part 4 – The Top 5 Electrical Failures in DC Motors

October 1, 2025

While AC motors dominate the conversation in many industrial settings, DC motors are indispensable in applications requiring precise speed control and high torque. However, they come with their own set of challenges. Based on HECO’s field data collected from more than 240 clients within our TracRat Equipment Management software, five recurring electrical failure modes for …

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Charred electric motor

Why Motors Fail: Part 3 – The Top 5 Electrical Failures in AC Motors

July 30, 2025

While mechanical failures often dominate conversations about motor downtime, electrical issues can be just as disruptive. At HECO, we utilize a proprietary Equipment Management software known as TracRat to track our clients’ motor inventory and collect specifications, repair history, and application and performance data for each unit to enable faster asset replacement, streamline maintenance, and …

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Why Motors Fail: Part 2 – Avoid the Hidden Costs of Misalignment, Lubrication Issues, and Shaft Voltage

June 25, 2025

If your motor is failing mechanically, there’s a high chance you’re dealing with a bearing issue. And while that might sound simple, the story behind those failures is anything but. HECO’s in-shop technicians have reviewed thousands of failure modes across 240+ client facilities by analyzing data from our TracRat equipment management software. When it comes to …

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Overloaded AC motor

Why Motors Fail: Part 1 – The Top 5 Failure Modes for AC and DC Motors

June 11, 2025

If you’ve ever had a motor go down unexpectedly, you know the impact can be immediate and expensive. Now, what if we told you most motor failures are preventable? At HECO, we’ve analyzed three years of electric motor failure data across 240 clients in steel, paper, chemical, power, mining, plastics, and other industrial sectors. The …

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HECO technician working on a pump

Know the 7 Capabilities of a Skilled Pump Repair Shop

April 23, 2025

When a pump fails, it can bring operations to a standstill and lead to costly downtime. When disruptions to an industrial facility’s production are unexpected, the urge to get everything fixed and back online ASAP can lead to snap decisions. Before your next pump issue occurs, take a few minutes to consider the capabilities of …

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