How to Test Motor Windings On Three Phase Motors
Motor windings are conductive wires wrapped around a magnetic core; they provide a path for current to flow to create then magnetic field to spin the rotor. Like any other part of the motor, the winding can fail. When motor windings fail it’s very seldom that the [...]
Polarization Index Testing on Electric Motors Now Surpassed by Modern Methods
Regarding electric motor testing, polarization index (PI) is a measure of how much the insulation system resistance improves (or degrades) over time. While the PI Test has been considered the primary test when evaluating the condition of a motor’s insulation, its process has become outdated compared with newer [...]
DC Motor Test Advantages Using Motor Circuit Analysis
Electrical testing of Direct Current (DC) electric motors is a challenge within industry, manufacturing and repair centers alike. The key issue has to do with the ability to compare one coil to the next, should exact information not be provided. In this article, the issue of simple [...]
How To Test a Synchronous Motor with Modern Technology
In order to further understand the application of motor circuit testing and analysis on synchronous electric motors (synchronous machines), it is important to have a brief overview of the operation of a synchronous motor, most common faults, common test methods, how the ALL-TEST IV PRO™ (Now AT5™) [...]
Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) Applications
Motor Diagnostic technologies have become even more prevalent through the 1990’s and into the new century. The technologies include both Motor Circuit Analysis (MCA) and Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) applied to both energized and de-energized electric motor systems. The applications appear to be almost endless. The systems [...]
Why Testing an Electric Motor with a Multimeter Is Not Enough
When an electric motor fails to start, runs intermittently, runs hot, or continually trips its overcurrent device, there my be a variety of causes, however many technicians and repairmen tend to conduct electric motor testing with multimeters or megohmmeters alone. Sometimes the motor’s issue is the power supply, [...]
The 6 Best Motor Testing Instruments for 2023
If you’re a technician or electrician operating within automotive, wastewater, power generation or any other industry with electric motors, you need the highest-quality portable diagnostic equipment with you. Motor testing is critical to avoid failure and costly downtime. You can only rely on a traditional Megohmmeter or one [...]
Electrical Test Equipment Safety
Safety should always be the number one priority with electricity. With only 25% of surveyed electrical workers saying their company provided adequate safety training, the safe use of electrical test equipment is vital to improving safety on the job. Electrical Safety, Efficiency & Accuracy When it comes to electrical [...]
The Impact of Voltage Unbalance
If you are using three-phase systems, you should be aware of unbalanced voltages, one of the most common electrical power issues for industrial plants. The chances of your plant having imbalances is high when you do not have measures in place to prevent them. Catching imbalances before [...]
How to Completely Test 3-Phase AC Induction Motors Using Deenergized Motor Testing
People often conduct motor inductance testing with methods that don’t accurately assess the whole picture. Inadequate testing can lead to premature equipment replacement, poor cost analyses and other negative outcomes. Deenergized motor testing with ALL-TEST Pro’s proprietary Motor Circuit Analysis (MCA™) devices can make testing more accurate, [...]
Improve VFD Troubleshooting with Deenergized and Energized Motor Testing
Improvements in Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technology have resulted in lower costs, improved reliability, and more importantly increased use. Most modern VFD system have internal diagnostics that create automatic shutdown on faults. However, the cause of these faults can sometimes be elusive to locate and correct. However [...]