February 22, 2017
In the world of technology, more specifically maintenance technology, there are so many different tools we are using to make decisions. We use vibration analysis, ultrasonic analysis, motor current analysis, thermography, and so many other technologies that many times the most simple and cost-affordable technology is sometimes forgotten: YOUR EYES! Visual inspections can tell you …
January 27, 2017
Tom Spettel, Senior Reliability Engineer, Category IV ISO Certified Vibration Analyst. The below video is a case study of a large 3-stage air compressor that was directly coupled to a 2-pole (3600 RPM) motor that had vibration problems after the air compressor was re-located to a different building. This was originally presented at the 2016 …
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 …
December 26, 2016
Tom Spettel, Senior Reliability Engineer, Category IV ISO Certified Vibration Analyst The below video is a vibration analysis case study where there was a coupling bolt failure on a 4000HP ID Fan motor on a fluid drive. This was originally presented at the 2016 Reliability, Process, & Maintenance Symposium (RPM) in Kalamazoo, Michigan on September …
November 21, 2016
Tom Spettel, Senior Reliability Engineer, Category IV ISO Certified Vibration Analyst The below video is a case study of a 400HP, 3600RPM (2 Pole) Boiler Feed Water Pump Motor that had vibration problems after a used motor was put in place of the original motor. This was originally presented at the 2016 Reliability, Process, & …
November 9, 2016
Tom Spettel, Senior Reliability Engineer, Category IV ISO Certified Vibration Analyst The below video is a case study of a 4000HP Induced Draft (I.D.) Fan Structural Resonance. This was originally presented at the 2016 Reliability, Process, & Maintenance Symposium (RPM) in Kalamazoo, Michigan on September 13-14, 2016.
August 11, 2016
Before reading about these different tests, please check out our last few articled on electric motor theory and rotor bar cracks: How Does an Induction Electric Motor’s Rotor Work? How do 2-pole Electric Motor Rotor Bars Crack? Besides a simple visual inspection, below is a summary of the most common methods of detecting cracked rotor …
August 4, 2016
Rotor bars of 2-pole (3600RPM) rotors are subjected to high stresses caused by repeated starting, thermal expansion and centrifugal forces. The repeated starting with resultant cyclic forces causes the bars to loosen. This is because the rotating magnetic stator field applies rapidly alternating forces to each rotor bar, diminishing in intensity and frequency as the …
July 14, 2016
This is our third and final article in a series of articles on ball bearings in electric motors. You are encouraged to view our prior articles at the links below: Electric Motor Ball Bearings Types & Options Greasing Electric Motor Ball Bearings This article picks up where those left off… What else should you consider …
February 2, 2016
Electric motors are the heart of your plant. If they stop working, an entire line could, well, die. Just like diagnostic testing in the medical field can increase life expectancy, reliability testing in industry can extend the life of your plant equipment. The parallels between medical diagnostic testing and industrial predictive services are numerous. Just …
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