Tips for Maintaining Motor Reliability and Efficiency

Electric motor-driven systems account for more than 40 percent of all electricity generated in the world and often represent the highest energy users in a facility. Therefore, adopting motor management practices is critical to reducing energy costs and saving money, and it can also improve productivity and decrease downtime.

Below we share tips that can help with the upkeep and cost-effectiveness of induction motors.

Extending Motor Lifespan

• Use a motor that is correctly sized for the loadInstall the motor properly with:
  • Vibrationally sound mountingAdequate shaft alignmentProper electrical connection
  Use a balanced and rated input voltageMaintain a clean environmentKeep the ambient temperature below the motor’s nameplate ratingHave a constant motor load of 75 to 100 percent of the rated loadImplement a scheduled motor maintenance program

Reducing Overall Energy Consumption and Downtime

• Develop purchase specifications
  • Purchase high-efficiency motors
    • Only 2 to 3 percent of a motor’s lifecycle cost comes from its purchase price; the remaining 97 to 98 percent is from the energy used to power the motor
  Consider using variable frequency drives for centrifugal applications with variable loadsKeep a database of your motor population, identify critical motors and build a spares inventory

Maintaining Efficiency After Repair

• Only use motor repair vendors that follow a third-party quality repair accreditation programDevelop repair specifications for your motors (vendors are likely happy to help to gain your business)
  • The 2019 Electrical Apparatus Service Association Rewind Study found that losses can be minimized or maintained with high-quality motor repairs, and our AE Certified (Proven Efficiency Verification) program has demonstrated the same

Conclusion

Implementing a motor management program with guidance on installation, operations and maintenance, and repair can cut your energy costs and downtime while enhancing long-term motor reliability.