The Life Expectancy of a Commercial Electric Motor

March 28, 2018

There are a wide variety of factors that go into determining the life expectancy of your average commercial electric motor. If you have any input power problems, if there have been improper mechanical installations, if there are any environmental factors dragging down performance—these are all issues you need to consider when determining the life expectancy of your electric motor.

Under the right conditions and usage, you can expect an electric motor to last 15 years or more. Of course, this varies widely depending on usage and operating conditions.

Here are some tips to help you extend the lifespan of your commercial electric motor before you have to seek electric motor replacement in Columbia, TN.

Eliminate any voltage imbalances

Voltage imbalance can significantly impact the operation of your electric motor. You might notice a reduction in full load speed or in locked rotor and breakdown torques. The issue might also manifest itself in the form of increased (or decreased) operation temperatures.

You can eliminate voltage imbalances in several ways. You might, for example, install reactive or active filters, which will reduce the harmonics and as a result bring down the imbalance as well. You can also replace any equipment causing the disturbance as soon as possible to ensure better long-term operation of the motor.

Make sure all motors are the right size

It’s imperative to get motors that are the right size for your application—otherwise you run the risk of dramatically reducing efficiency. This is especially important in industrial or commercial plants that rely on the constant use of massive electrical appliances with major energy loads.

Carefully consider the motor requirements for each appliance or application—which processes need to be accomplished, and what are the power needs? A slightly oversized motor can actually help with any application, as you’ll have some room for extra operational capacity when needed. If you use a motor that is too small, it will be overtaxed and wear itself down much more quickly than a motor that is slightly larger than what you need for the specific application. You should just avoid going too large, as you can quickly get to a point where you’re wasting your money for efficiency returns that aren’t worth the initial price you paid for the motor.

Make regular maintenance a priority

As with any type of machine, you should engage in routine maintenance of your electric motors to make sure they last you long into the future. There are many companies that offer these sorts of routine maintenance programs to improve the efficiency of your machine. It also helps you avoid downtime caused by breakdowns, as well as unnecessarily expensive repairs.

These are just a few of the ways you can extend the lifespan of your commercial electric motors. If you are considering electric motor replacement in Columbia, TN, be sure to reach out to the experts at Action Electric Motor & Pump Repair ahead of time to get tips and recommendations. We look forward to assisting you!

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