There are various applications for vertical motors, but most of them are mounted on vertical turbine pumps (VTPs). Vertical motors may be hollow shaft or solid shaft; the hollow shaft motors are used exclusively on VTPs and vibration is a common problem with these installations. The focus of this article will be on imbalance and 1x RPM vibration.

For service professionals working with large electric motors and generators, machines with voltage ratings 5 kV and higher can be vulnerable to invisible threats of partial discharge (PD). Corona and PD activity have long been a challenge to detect before failure occurs. Traditionally, detecting these issues required indirect methods like radio interference voltage (RIV) testing, ultrasonic detection or offline insulation tests. But recent advances in partial discharge imaging—sometimes called corona cameras—are giving engineers and technicians a powerful new tool: the ability to see electrical discharge activity directly and in real time. 

As a small business owner employing skilled trade workers who are aging out of the workforce, sustainability is not just about the natural or political environment outside of our walls; it is increasingly becoming challenging in terms of sustaining the capabilities that our customers have come to expect from us.

As our company has grown, we have had to learn to trust others to get things done in a way that is consistent with how you would want them done. Here is how we chose to attack the trust issue and some of the lessons learned along the way.

The 2024 NEMA MG 00001 standard introduces key updates, including new Design BE and CE motors with defined locked-rotor current limits, Class N insulation for high-temperature use, and revised stall time requirements. It adds Super Premium efficiency levels aligned with IEC IE4, adopts IEC voltage/frequency variation guidelines, and expands duty ratings for variable load/speed motors.

Managing through this polarizing political climate doesn’t mean that you must choose sides, but we do have to motor on. I have found three tips that help me in my business life.

This article highlights how motor repair service centers can support sustainability goals by documenting carbon offsets from motor upcycling. Rewinding motors typically reuses or recycles over 90% of materials, significantly reducing Scope 3 emissions. By leveraging EPA and transportation emission data, centers can provide science-based reports to clients aiming to meet environmental targets. This approach positions service centers as valuable partners in the circular economy and appeals to sustainability-conscious customers.

While robotic systems are advancing rapidly, their ability to replicate the complex, highly dexterous tasks performed by skilled craftworkers like motor winders, manual machinists and mechanics, especially in bespoke electric motor repair, is still significantly limited. Expert human judgment, adaptability and fine motor skills are not easily replicated by robots today, particularly in nuanced troubleshooting, diagnostics and precise manual repairs.

The impeller is the primary mass component on most pump rotors. Impeller balancing is an important component of pump repair. Proper balancing procedures will ensure the repaired pump will operate with a minimum of vibration.

The video provides a comprehensive guide on performing a single-phase rotor test on a three-phase squirrel cage motor to check for open rotor bars.