Operative Motors, VFDs, Soft Starters and other Motor Controls in High Moisture Conditions – Solutions to Prevent Premature Failures

Part 1 of a 2-part series Part 1 – Motors in High Moisture Environments – How to specify the proper motor features to prevent reoccurring problems Overview: High moisture environments can lead to several contributing factors that lead to premature motor failure including: Premature failure of motor winding caused by loss of insulation integrity. Premature failure […]

Proper Motor Repair

Can the original Motor Efficiency be maintained when it is rewound? A common misconception is that a rewound motor will lose efficiency during reprocessing. In fact, the efficiency of the motor after being rewound is totally dependent on the procedures followed during the rewind process. It is critical that proper procedures are followed! When properly processed, […]

Motor Life: What is a reasonable life expectancy and how do you optimize it.

Part 3 of a 3 part series on Motor Life Expectancy Many motors fail prematurely due to misapplication and this series will discuss ways to avoid these and optimize motor life. This avoids costly downtime and the expense of repair or replacement. In Part 3 we will examine how adverse operating conditions such as heat, […]

Motor Life

What is a reasonable life expectancy and how do you optimize it. Part 2 of a 3 part series on motor life expectancy Many motors fail prematurely due to misapplication and this series will discuss ways to avoid these and optimize motor life. This avoids costly downtime an the expense of repair or replacement. Failure […]

Motor Life Expectancy

What can you reasonably expect and how do you optimize it? Part 1 of a 3 part series on motor life expectancy  As you would expect motor life expectancy is highly variable and dependent on numerous factors. Many motors fail prematurely due to misapplication and this series will discuss ways to avoid these and optimize […]

How Hot is Hot?

“My motor is running hot!“ This is a common lament we’ve heard countless times at Flolo. “How Hot?“, we ask the customer. “I can’t put my hand on it,” comes the response. Well, that begs the question, how much heat can your hand safely tolerate? The average human can handle about 140 degrees F depending […]

Motor Bearing Current Issues

Solutions at the Drive and Motor cables Part 2 of 2 part series on Motor Bearing Current Failures As discussed in part 1, increasingly motors are operated on variable frequency drives. This often results in premature bearing failure due to bearing currents. These currents passing through the bearings can lead to damage in the form […]

OSHA Quick Card

Electrical Safety Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks and electrocution (even death). Assume that all overhead wires are energized at lethal voltages. Never assume that a wire is safe even if it appears to be insulated. Never touch a fallen overhead power line. Call 911 and the electric utility company to report fallen electrical lines. […]

Motor Bearing Current Issues

Part 1 of a 2 Part Series on Motor Bearing Current Failures More and more motors these days are being controlled by variable frequency drives. Often, the drives result in premature bearing failure due to stray currents. These currents result from the common mode voltage produced by the drive. As seen in the figure above, […]

Common Motor Installation Mistakes

Common Motor Installation mistakes that lead to Premature Failure Two  Motor Installation issues that often lead to premature Failure include Soft Feet and Shaft Misalignment. Soft Feet – this occurs when the four feet of the motor and connected mounting surface are not in the same plane.   This problem is best illustrated as follows: This […]