March 19, 2004
Understanding the Tests that are Recommended for Electric Motor Predictive Maintenance
Understanding the Tests that are Recommended for Electric Motor Predictive Maintenance
by Curtis Lanham, President, Baker Instrument Company
This paper will discuss the root causes of electrical failures in motors and how high voltage testing can help in early detection. The paper will also review the insulation resistance test, polarization index test, DC hipot test, and the surge test along with outline the types of problems they can and cannot find.
Most electrical failures are caused by a combination of the voltage spikes that occur at start up and normal deterioration. The problem often begins as a turn-to-turn short that will eventually go to ground. Without high voltage testing many of these problems will go undetected. More…
