Effects Of Prolonged Storage Of Motors

[Uttamkumar]

I want to know if a motor is kept without being put into use for several years(4-5) years, is there any effect in its working efficiency or life .

[jOmega]

I want to know if a motor is kept without being put into use for several years(4-5) years, is there any effect in its working efficiency or life .

 

 

I would say that IF, and only IF, you followed the motor manufacturer's instructions for storage, you would have a pretty good chance that the motor will be ok.

 

What you don't say, ... and it's important ... is How it was stored.

 

Environment

 

Temperature

 

Humidity

 

Rust Preventative coating of all exterior surfaces

 

Rotating the shaft (by hand) on a regular basis; i.e., every 2-3 months

 

Does motor have space heaters ? that would help to prevent condensation from collecting

inside the motor ? Were the space heaters kept energized during the storage period ?

 

Have you opened the drains and checked for condensation inside the motor ?

 

Have you meggared the motor to earth (ground) ..... (insulation test)

 

Assuming the above has been properly addressed, I would recommend that you inspect the insulation of the motor leads..... and also ..... change the grease in the bearings.

 

If there is condensation in the motor, you will have to disassemble it and bake it in an oven to dry it out.

 

These are the most immediate things I can think of at this time .... there are probably other things to check and to do .... and perhaps other members of this forum will give you additional suggestions.

 

Good Luck.

[Uttamkumar]

I would say that IF, and only IF, you followed the motor manufacturer's instructions for storage, you would have a pretty good chance that the motor will be ok.

 

What you don't say, ... and it's important ... is How it was stored.

 

Environment

 

Temperature

 

Humidity

 

Rust Preventative coating of all exterior surfaces

 

Rotating the shaft (by hand) on a regular basis; i.e., every 2-3 months

 

Does motor have space heaters ? that would help to prevent condensation from collecting

inside the motor ? Were the space heaters kept energized during the storage period ?

 

Have you opened the drains and checked for condensation inside the motor ?

 

Have you meggared the motor to earth (ground) ..... (insulation test)

 

Assuming the above has been properly addressed, I would recommend that you inspect the insulation of the motor leads..... and also ..... change the grease in the bearings.

 

If there is condensation in the motor, you will have to disassemble it and bake it in an oven to dry it out.

 

These are the most immediate things I can think of at this time .... there are probably other things to check and to do .... and perhaps other members of this forum will give you additional suggestions.

 

Good Luck.

 

Thanx a lot for the reply.

 

IN this context I would like to add that the motor is stored in this condition , Amb. temp being 20-45 deg(varying seasonally) and relative humidity being 55-65% and stored in a roofed and enclosed room.

 

The motors are normally of IP-55 protection. So entering of moisture into the motor windings/enclosure may be ruled out( not sure).

I would like to know how the environmental or mechanical factors affect the various parameters like (insulation resistance ,winding resistance , etc) and in turn how they affect the working and efficiency of the motor.

 

Request all the patrons of electricals to give their valuable inputs.

[Uttamkumar]

Thanx a lot for the reply.

 

IN this context I would like to add that the motor is stored in this condition , Amb. temp being 20-45 deg(varying seasonally) and relative humidity being 55-65% and stored in a roofed and enclosed room.

 

The motors are normally of IP-55 protection. So entering of moisture into the motor windings/enclosure may be ruled out( not sure).

I would like to know how the environmental or mechanical factors affect the various parameters like (insulation resistance ,winding resistance , etc) and in turn how they affect the working and efficiency of the motor.

 

Request all the patrons of electricals to give their valuable inputs.

 

I am still waiting for an appropriate answer to my query.

I wonder why this question is left unanswered in this forum where experts write a lot on issues many times more complex than this one....

Dont they think this question worth answering???.......

[yuri]

You have not said what type of the motor it is, also, was it or was not it fully new 5 years back.

 

Ambient conditions of the storage being as described by you (supposedly 20 C about 50 % RH at winter, 45 C about 65 % RH at summer ? ) t is very important what type of grease is there in its bearings.. If the latter is still good, if supposedly it was a new induction motor, my bets are it will run without a problem.