Diligent electric motor maintenance keeps your business's machinery running smoothly and protects its longevity. In particular, lubricating the moving parts properly avoids contamination and equipment failure. Use the guide below to reduce the chance of problems that lead to damage and repairs.

Do:

Use the correct lubricant.

Using the right grease for your machinery ensures it continues to operate properly.  If you apply the wrong oil or grease, the bearings can fail before their useful life span ends. For proper electric motor maintenance, check the manufacturer's website or equipment manual for the lubricant's specifications, including its viscosity and thickener, and always use the same one.

Apply the right amount of grease.

Adding too much grease causes the rotating parts to push the lubricant out of the way. The extra effort raises the operating temperature, makes oil separation more likely, and leads to bearing failure. Not adding enough grease can also generate excessive heat and cause the same outcome.

Don't:

Delay lubrication.

Lubricating too frequently can cause bearings and engine parts to wear before their times. However, waiting too long between lubrication can lead to the winding insulation's degradation.

Build a database for calculating the proper time cycle. Include factors the operation time, bearing type, load, temperature, environment, and speed when gathering information for your calculations.

Neglect to create a maintenance plan.

Include an electric motor maintenance plan in your standard operating procedures. Record the proper lubricant type, amount, and re-greasing frequency for each application. For accurate recordkeeping, don't forget to track the mean time between failure (MTBR) and mean time between maintenance (MTBM).

If you need electric motor maintenance, repair, or rewinding, turn to Hayden Electric Motors in Anchorage, AK. These skilled professionals have helped industrial machine owners and operators keep their equipment running well for over 60 years. Call (907) 561-1073 to learn about how they can help or schedule an appointment.