Case Study Slightly Loose Bearing Fits and VFD Issues in Vertical Motor with EMPATH Electrical Signature Analysis

In-place testing was performed on a 350 horsepower, 460 Vac, 1780 RPM vertical motor (Figure 1) and EMPATH detected conditions associated with bearings, rotor and early winding stress were indicated.  The motor was removed for routine overhaul and the defects were investigated.

Motion Amplification and EMPATH Detect Coupling Defect on Slow Speed Coupling and DC Motor

During a site visit along with Scott Burkhardt of #RDI, we were asked to investigate the cause of a noise from a casting mill. The DC motor operated the mill through two gearboxes then a slow speed shaft. Following #motionamplification on the first day, data was collected with an #EMPATH #electricalsignatureanalyzer from the DC drive. A comparison of operating speeds from the customer…

EMPATH Continuous Monitoring Special Applications for Energy Analysis

The EMPATH™ family of Electrical Signature and Motor Current Signature Analysis (ESA/MCSA) systems go well beyond analyzing electric motors, generators and wind turbines.  It provides prognostic and time to failure estimation (TTFE) capabilities for AC/DC electric motors, synchronous machines, servo motors, machine tools, generators – including utility scale, and transformers.  Not only will it identify…

An EMPATH Day of Ease

After putting EMPATH through months and months of trials in wind turbines for transformer to complete powertrain: Utility-scale solar plant drives and transformers: Riding the rails testing locomotive generators and traction machines: Complex pipeline troubleshooting: Even evaluating commercial transformers, lighting systems and power quality issues: A well-deserved rest testing a good old pump motor running…

MotorDoc Research and Development 2021

MotorDoc LLC continues to pursue unique research into industry and utility electrical and mechanical reliability.  Present research projects include wind power, commercial/industrial ESA for transformers, ESA and related condition monitoring for solar, geothermal, and commercial/industrial systems.  Studies relate to practical application research associated with high impact academic research.  For more information contact us: Contact Us…

EVALUATING MISSING WEDGES AND COIL MOVEMENT WITH ESA IEEE PAPER

Two significant issues in wind power asynchronous generators are magnetic wedge loss and coil movement resulting in winding faults.  Most of the time the failures occur unexpectedly or require borescope or visual inspections of the generator stators.  In this paper we will identify how both conditions can be detected during operation through Electrical Signature Analysis. …