Bram Corne
Technical Services Committee Member
Orbits
Kor trijk, Belgium 

Without exaggeration, electric motor systems play a pivotal role in our industrial operations, serving as the heartbeat of numerous processes. Pumps, compressors, fans and other types of mechanical movement are crucial to our industrial activities. Consequently, the health of these motors directly influences the operational reliability and longevity of the broader industrial ecosystem. In a culture that values reliability, the predictability of downtime, the availability of spare parts, the employability of technicians, and the limitation of consequential damage are paramount. Acknowledging this underscores the necessity for performing online health assessments of electric motors. Mirroring the medical field, we aim to proactively predict catastrophic failures before they occur. By doing so, it is feasible to prevent failures from occurring or progressing. Hence, integrating the appropriate measurements and diagnostics for electric motors can significantly enhance overall asset performance.

Asset Health Assessment goes beyond traditional maintenance approaches by offering a holistic perspective on an electric motor’s condition. This method employs a comprehensive suite of diagnostic tools and methodologies, beginning with the creation of an exhaustive overview of the entire system. This is achieved by gathering information, briefing operators and conducting visual inspections. Beyond these fundamentals, technologies such as Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA), Vibration Analysis, Ultrasound Analysis, Thermal Analysis, among others, can furnish deeper insights into the condition of the electric motor (Figure 1). This article primarily focuses on the benefits of incorporating ESA into the existing diagnostic toolkit.

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