The sole purpose of holding electric motors on site is to reduce the response time in the event of a motor failure.

Often electric motors held on site are managed in a way that impedes response time, to a point that questions the benefits of a store.

If your Asset Strategy recommends holding an electric motor it must be "Fit for Use" ALWAYS, easily accessible, and have the correct consumables.

The common impediments to response time are:

1. Identification of the motor specification. Nameplates take forever to identify in a breakdown situation.

2.Not having one storage location. If motors are poorly managed it promotes squirreling away of motors by tradesmen.

3.Poor storage conditions that aren't dry, under lit, no dew point control, subject to vibration, or poor access to regularly rotate shafts.

4.No system for managing failed motors, new deliveries, and acceptance tested motors.  Motors can easily be mixed up and unfit motors returned to the store, causing disastrous consequences.

5.Lifting and Moving motors under a breakdown situation can lead to back strain, or trying to shift for identification purposes is a waste of time.

6.Not booking out a motor under breakdown event, because the CMMS is in the office and it's 2am. Motor is never reordered.

7.Unique motors with gearboxes or special shafts not having "Where Used" or "BOM" information.

8.Not having the correct consumables leads to a substandard job that never gets reworked. Acceptance testing program and consumables including links, emf rated glands, stefa seals, gaskets, terminal blocks and shaft keys are the basics.

9.Limited access to tools and sealant.

10.Stores cluttered with spares from redundant assets.

Motors are the most common asset type and require unique storage conditions & procedures. A well managed store ensures a fit for use spare which can be depended on.

The recommended approach to gain control is a Best Practice Motor Management program, in which the store is a key player.

The program consists of Motor Audits, Motor Health Assessments, Asset Strategies, rationalization of spares, Purchase & Overhaul specification, acceptance testing of motor windings, identification of movement procedures, and storage requirements.

This shipping container motor store has been installed with lights, racking on wood, lifting trolley, ventilation and dew point control.  Motor shafts face inwards taped for corrosion control and rotated quarterly. Motors are sorted by speed, kW rating, and frame size for easy identification.

The inspection label shows the motor has passed a winding test and fit for use. A tradesman requiring a motor writes the details on a book out sheet hanging inside the door.

The storeman checks the log each morning.

The container is placed on wooden bearers for vibration isolation.

Each electrician has a key and are responsible for following procedures.

Once implemented no one wants to return to a poor store.

3Phi Reliability provide clients with a Mobile App to conduct an Audit or can provide that service, usually combined with a Motor Health Assessment.

Mark Gurney Gerant

3Phi Reliability Sarl