AC Motor Maintenance Tips
AC Motor Overview
AC motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy through the process of electromagnetic induction. The key components of an AC motor include the rotor and the stator. The rotor is typically the outside part of the motor, which is wound with coils that transmit the alternating current, and the stator is typically the inside part of the motor that’s coupled to the output shaft.
Due to their ruggedness of design and avoidance of direct contact with commutator assemblies, AC motors tend to last longer than DC motors and are widely used in all sorts of commercial and industrial applications. Even so, AC motors are still prone to some wear and tear over time and require a preventive schedule of maintenance to help ensure a desired level of performance. Interested in learning more about AC motor maintenance? Then read on to learn some helpful insights and tips for keeping your AC motors humming along properly!
Dos and Don’ts of AC Motor Maintenance
Dos:
“You should regularly inspect your motor mount. Damage to the motor mount can quickly result in problems for the entire motor assembly. Pay attention to ensure that all mounting bolts are tight and secure, with no obvious play present. Any cracked plates you find should be replaced.”
“Examine the rotor and stator. You’ll want to make sure that the gap between these components remains at an optimal distance. Any changes you notice from prior measurements are an indication that the motor bearings may need to be replaced. You should also blow out the motor regularly to keep everything clean and free-flowing.”
Dont’s:
“Don’t over do the lubrication. You absolutely need to keep the motor properly lubricated, but many people tend to overdo it. Using too much lubricant can cause oil to get trapped in the windings, thus leading to premature deterioration of motor components. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for lubrication amounts and frequency.”
“Don’t neglect to keep good service records. Maintaining accurate records about the status of your AC motor, as well as about what service has been applied, is essential for the long-term operating life of your equipment. Keeping good records makes it easier to identify any recurring issues that may call for specific part replacements.”
What Can Lead an AC Motor to Fail?
Unless you have professional training in servicing AC motors, it may be best for you not to risk cracking open your motor yourself. One of the most common problems that can arise with an AC motor is issues with the winding and brushes. Only a professional machine shop – like the team at AES – is adequately equipped to handle these sorts of issues. Another primary cause of AC motor failure is overheating. AC motors are engineered to work best within a certain temperature range. If the max recommended temperature is exceeded at any point, then the winding insulation can begin to deteriorate. Dirt and moisture infiltration are other common factors which can result in motor failure, as well.
AC Motor Maintenance and Repair with AES
AES has a complete machine shop facility, and we employ a dedicated team of repair specialists who understand everything there is to know about maintaining, repairing, rewinding and rebuilding AC motors, DC motors, and servo motors of all shapes and sizes. Here are just a few maintenance and repair services we provide for electric motors:
Machine Work
Unlike some other repair groups, we don’t outsource anything; we actually do all of our own machine work in-house. We’ve got lathes, mills, punch presses, vertical presses, bearing pullers, coil-winding machines, cutters, welders and all the other essential equipment for electric motor service. We keep all the essential parts and materials on hand for AC/DC motor repair jobs, too.
Bearing Replacement
Many motor failures occur as a result of worn or failed bearings. And because they’re moving parts, bearings tend to wear out faster than some other components, too. Our team can pull your motor’s old bearings, customize new bearings for an exact fit, and then get everything re-installed. New bearings really help bring an old motor back to life!
Motor Rewinding
Rewinding is another common need for many underperforming electric motors in need of service. Our skilled technicians can rewind virtually any type of industrial motor, including AC motors, DC motors, servo motors and spindle motors. We can clean out your motor’s core too, to help prevent any loss ofefficiency.
Dynamic Balancing
When it comes to a rotating apparatus like an electric motor, maintaining proper balance is important. An out-of-balance motor can wobble, lose efficiency, wear faster, and fail prematurely. AES uses vibration-sensing equipment, dial calipers, dynamic balancing machines, and dyno equipment to certify electric motors for essentially any required specifications or certifications.
Motor-Specific Cleaning & Painting
It takes more than a pressure washer to clean an industrial motor properly, and painting an industrial motor takes more than just some spray paint can off the shelf. AES uses cleaners specifically designed for removing grease and industrial solvents, and we also know how to choose the exact paint to meet yourspecific motor’s refinishing needs. Once we’re finished, your electric motor won’t just work like new; it’ll LOOK like new, too!
Entrust AES with Your AC Motor Repair Services
Sure, there are other companies out there who offer ACmotor and DC motor repair services, but nobody takes better care of you and your equipment than AES!
Quality Repair Work
At AES, quality has always been an essential core value. We’re committed to provide the best quality of repair services for electric motors – along with anything else you send our way. We’ve successfully repaired countless AC motors, DC motors, servos and more and we can take care of your equipment repair needs, too.
Quick Turnaround
No doubt you’d like to have your repairs completed ASAP. But a quality AC/DC motor repair does take time to complete with excellence. Even so, our skilled team of technicians has all the knowledge, tools, and experience to get it done both correctly AND efficiently. And if time is of the essence, you can also opt to put a RUSH on your order for an even faster turnaround.
Experienced Repair Technicians
AC/DC motor repair isn’t just a side gig for us. At AES, we have a dedicated team that focuses exclusively on electric motor repair and rebuilding. Our team is capable and experienced; we really do know what we’re doing! We provide ongoing training opportunities for our team too, so we’ll always be well-equipped to serve your needs well.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Large industrial motors can be expensive and difficult to replace; for older machinery, the original manufacturer may no longer even exist! We can service and restore your electric motors for less money and less headache and we’ll return them to you in like-new (or better) condition! Saving you time & money is just one of the ways AES can add value to your business.
Industry’s Best Warranty!
Every repair provider claims to do good work, but many won’t actually put their money where their mouth is. At AES, we’re proud to stand behind everything we do by offering a 24-Month Limited Warranty for ALL REPAIRS! If a problem should arise within the warranty period which is deemed to be related to workmanship, we’ll provide follow-up repairs for NO charge. That’sa service you can trust!
Connect with AES for Your Electric Motor Repair Needs
Ready to get your electric motor working smoothly again, so you can keep your important machinery running? AES can take care of that and we’ll take good care of you too. Connect with us today at (866) 386-1001, and let us provide you with your perfect repair solution! We’re standing by to help!
