By Jane Alexander
Managing Editor of Maintenance Technology
According to EASA’s technical experts, changes in motor/system vibration readings provide the best early warning of developing problems in a motor or system component. Other parameters to monitor may include operating temperature of critical components, mechanical tolerances, and overall system performance, including outputs such as flow rate, tonnage, and volume.
Motor-specific baselines incorporate records of electrical, mechanical, and vibration tests performed when units are placed in operation or before they’re put in storage. Ideally, baselines would be obtained for all new, repaired, and in situ motors, but this may not be practical for some applications. These baselines typically include some or all of the following:
- Load current, speed, and terminal voltage
- Motor current signature analysis (MCSA)
- Mechanical tests
- Vibration
- Infrared thermography
- New motor baselines
- Repaired motor baselines
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