Electric motors were quickly integrated into production practices since their invention in 1834—and now they are used to power everything from assembly lines to computers for the easier creation, sorting, and packing of goods. However, in spite of continuing advancements in design, these machines are still susceptible to tripping or burning out. While some breakdowns will require a replacement, others might be restored with motor repair techniques, such as rewinding. The guide below explains this process.

What Is Motor Rewinding?

Rewinding is a highly specialized motor repair method that entails stripping the old coils from the stator or armature and winding a new one in its place. For the original windings to be removed, specialists will use a ‘dry stripping’ method wherein the ends of the coils are cut, and the wires are pushed out. Another technique is heating the motor’s stator to loosen the old winding, which is a lot safer than the chemical stripping method.  

Professionals then use the original windings to collect data—such as the turns and layers on each coil, copper size, and connection—to find comparable parts and correctly rewind the electric motor. When winding the coils, the specialist will either do it manually or use a machine. 

Why Opt to Rewind?

If the cause of your electric motor failure isn’t traced to a damaged core, it can likely be rewound. This not only saves you the cost of a replacement but helps production get back to work with minimal downtime. However, if the device is getting towards the end of its natural life span, this is only a temporary measure and you should look into upgrading to reduce the risk of future accidents and improve efficiency. 

Motor rewinding is a delicate process that’s best left to professionals like those at United Electric Motors. As the leading motor repair shop for Alaska, they provide a full range of services, such as electrical testing, rewinding, rebuilds, and maintenance work on generators and motors. Call (907) 563-5232 to schedule an emergency motor repair 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or ask questions via their website.