May 12, 2021
During failure investigations we often see misalignment on vertical motors as the failure mode and when we ask for alignment readings at time of installation, we often hear that the “motor and the base have a register fit and alignment isn’t required”. This is far from the truth. Let’s look at why alignment should at …
May 19, 2020
The air gap refers to an actual physical gap in an electric motor that separates the moving rotor and the stator core. This gap is a necessary part of motor design and the size of the air gap is one of the keys to motor performance and reliabilit. The Case for a Correct Air Gap …
July 2, 2019
An informative video about AC Synchronous Motors Below is a 5 minute video from an hour long presentation given by Todd Hatfield, Senior Electrical Engineer at HECO – All Systems Go, during the 2018 Reliability, Process, and Maintenance (RPM) Symposium. This clip covers the basis of synchronous motors and how they differ from induction motors. …
June 5, 2019
It is standard to see the “frame” size on every electric motor nameplate, but do you understand what that frame means in regard to the mounting of the motor? Many have been in the situation where you needed a specific frame only to realize it was made with a special shaft or has a mounting …
May 14, 2019
Are you replacing your failed motor with the best motor for your application and environment? The easy part of replacing your motor is matching the frame size, horsepower, RPM, and voltage, but it may not always be wise to just replace the motor with a motor matching the same enclosure that you have always had. …
May 23, 2018
I am often told “I want that motor varnish dipped too”, but is re-dipping a reconditioned motor really good for the motor? Using proper repair practices motors can be reconditioned and repaired many, many times. Putting varnish over varnish continually is not always in the best interest for that motor in the long term. Continually …
April 18, 2018
Many companies have spare electric motors in their warehouse in the event of a critical motor failure. Many times this can be an intelligent decision, allowing for quick change out in the event of a failure (or pending failure) or during a scheduled outage or shutdown. It is important to have a plan for when …
January 4, 2018
The below video is a 15 minute segment of an hour long presentation given by Todd Hatfield of HECO at the 2017 Reliability, Process, and Maintenance (RPM) Symposium. This presentation discusses common preventable causes of electric motor failures. This section of the presentation discusses bearing related failures as bearings account for about 51% of all …
January 11, 2017
Todd A. Hatfield – Vice President of Engineering & Repair, HECO This is the third article (video) in a series of articles on The Basics of AC Induction Motors. The first video explored the basic principles of AC Induction motors focusing on magnetism, electromagnetic induction, AC current, and rotating magnetic fields. The second segment discussed …
January 3, 2017
Shaft currents can have a destructive effect on electric motor bearings. This article, with information from our friends at AEGIS Shaft Grounding Rings, is intended to inform professionals about these voltages and their effects on bearings in electric motors. Because of the high-speed switching frequencies in PWM inverters, variable frequency drives induce shaft currents in …
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