BEST-PRACTICE BASICS
By Thomas H. Bishop, P.E.
Electrical Apparatus
Services Association
(EASA)
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE a plant
manager's day, just say: "Production's down because a
motor failed." Fortunately, such situations can usually
be overcome with some relatively simple techniques
and straightforward solutions to protect the bearings
and stator windings. These two vulnerable components
are root causes of the vast majority of motor failures.
Bearing failures
Studies show more than half of all motor failures are
due to bearing failures-most of which stem from
too much or too little lubrication. Other contributing
causes include contaminated lubricants, using the
wrong lubricant or viscosity for the application and
mixing incompatible greases or oils.
The best way to avoid bearing-lubrication
problems is to develop a lubrication program that
uses motor and bearing manufacturer guidelines
AUGUST 2014
MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM | 23
http://www.MAINTENANCETECHNOLOGY.COM
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maintenance Technology August 2014