Bearing Fluting Specialists Stop the Attack at the source
 Using the SKF Tked1

Using the SKF Tked1

Friday, April 5, 2024

3Phi Reliability The Go To Bearing Fluting Specialists

The SKF Tked1 is an instrument designed to detect discharges of electromagnetic radiation in the High Frequency Band.

Any pulse of energy be it Mechanical or Electrical is a sharp peak of short duration and this can be seen in a spectra (FFT ) which creates High Frequency Harmonics typically in the MHz range.

The SKF Tked1 manual shows the Instrument is tuned to detect frequencies between 50 to 200 MHz.

As Energy in high frequency is emitted it attenuates very quickly and is very directional.

If you compare Low frequency sound (eg Bass Speaker) it travels a lot further and spreads making it difficult to detect the source.

With this concept in mind when using the SKF Tked1 bearing currents which are emitting this energy at boundaries are very directional and localized.

This localization can be in a very small area, therefore when scanning a quick wave around is likely to miss a potential problem. The full surface of the asset needs scanning at slow speed, take your time to conduct a good job.

An Example: I have seen this Bearing current run through just one motor foot, and in only 2 cm width of that foot trying to find it’s path back to earth. All other areas on that Motor had zero counts.

Secondly the wand of the SKF Tked1 is designed to pickup radiated energy meaning it’s in the air. Do not touch the Asset with the Wand head as this now will pick up conductive energy giving you a false reading. Keep the wand a consistent distance of approximately 2cm from the asset.

Where do you find EMF Counts and what levels are bad?

The source of these bearing currents come from the Inverter in the form of Common Mode and Differential Mode Current, and enter the motor winding.

Depending on Parasitic capacitance most of this energy is reflected from the Inductance of the first few turns of the coil, this attack decays the insulation propagating a winding failure.

Ensuring a motor is inverter duty helps slow this attack, but there are many techniques to ensure inverter duty some better than others. Wire grade is quite dominant.

The first method I adopt is scanning the Motor Cable at boundaries, these boundaries are Isolators, Motor Termination, and any joins in the conductor. The reflected energy often in phase with the supply amplifies and this voltage can be more than twice Line Voltage.

Many Inverter duty Motor have wire resistant to 1600 V which again slows the decay.

This reflection of voltage is often localized approximately 30 cm back from the termination (Impedance Change) and is an area to ensure thorough scanning around the circumference of the cable.

Note: SWA Steel Wired Armour cable that doesn’t have an extra screen is magnetically porous and will be extremely noisy. This cable is NOT recommended for inverter applications and causes a lot of the underlying problem.

Many OEM manuals state that Cable runs of more than 75 feet (25m) are prone to these reflective voltages. In these cases grounding is of the utmost importance.

The counts for a 10 second period (Recommended Standard) on a well grounded screened cable should be ZERO.

SKF Tked1 Don't forgot to scan Communications

This grounding of the cable can be measured and verified by transfer impedance measurement and 3Phi Reliability have developed a method to measure this which taught during skill transfer.

Conducting a similar scan around the cable terminations of the Inverter will also indicate how well the grounding has been made. The counts in this location will be much higher as the emission attenuates quickly down the cable. A bad reading is normally in the 10 of thousands for 10 seconds.

Care obviously needs to be taken when measuring in this area, as flash over risk is much higher.

Once these emissions enter the Motor the path of bearing currents is determined by Capacitance.

Capacitance due to Xc = 1/2FC means capacitance is a dead short to High Frequency current.

The path of the current is desired to be Motor Winding to Motor Frame (Largest Capacitance in the Motor), so grounding the motor frame is important.

The second parallel capacitance path is the Bearings which is a smaller capacitance. Therefore most bearing current can be controlled through verified grounding diverting this HF Current to earth through the frame. Badly grounded motors suffer bearing currents.

The current path of a badly grounded motor flows frame to shaft (Through the Bearings) and therefore grounding brushes can increase bearing current by making this path lower impedance. This current path is described in research Oct 2023 Darmstadt University.

If the SKF Tked1 picks up counts at the motor frame but lower or no counts at the bearing housing then suspect a badly installed or maintained brush.

Insulated Bearings also have capacitance due to the insulating material but this decays under HF Current and numerous failures occur in a short period of time.

Insulated bearings are best suited to stop circulating current that occurs from Impedance Imbalance.

Scanning the bearing housing at approximately the Outer race boundary is recommended, then move lower to the motor feet. Also if possible scan the coupling as badly grounded motors push current to the least impedance that could be the driven asset.

Note: For various reasons the NDE Non Drive End Housing tends to be more prone to Bearing currents, even with insulated couplings. This is covered in 3Phi’s skill transfer.

The root cause of these Bearing currents is Poor Grounding and should be addressed before other devices are fitted. Most of the Bearing Current problems are poor installation or design, Cable selection.

Whats a Bad count?

Using a 10 second reference time period, Motor size tends to be a determining factor in severity.

Larger Motors eg >200 kW should have ZERO counts at the Motor Frame/Housings.

Smaller Motors tend to be less prone and a 100 count may not trigger alarm. Eg SEW MoviMots are noisy and a few 1000 counts is bad, it’s difficult to get assets to ZERO.

I have been in a facility where high counts were detected on the building frame, verifying the Earth Loop Impedance showed the Electrical earth was poor.

It is recommended to follow the PE back scanning each termination point, any counts is bad.

What to do if Counts won’t go to ZERO after remedial work?

Stopping the Drive emissions entering the motor is by far the best strategy. Brushes or Insulated Bearings will help (Duration dependent) but do not stop the Motor Insulation Attack.

Installing EMF Cores at the drive stops these residual emissions, and also stops cross talk between cables in the same cable tray.

These EMF Cores are cheap permanent fixes that aren’t prone to maintenance requirements.

EMF Cores attenuating Bearing Currents

Limitations of the SKF Tked1

The SKF Tked1 is an instrument that detects emitted pulses of energy across a boundary.

When that boundary becomes conductive the impedance of that boundary drops and the emitted energy also drops.

The analogy is an electric fence. If you stand on the wire pushing it into the mud and voltage drops close to zero, but the actual Current increases.

The recommended method of measuring bearing current is measuring the Current which excludes any issues around boundary changes. Eg Blacken grease becomes conductive and if severely decayed will see less energy pulses detected on the SKF Tked1.

This method uses a High Frequency Current coil and a Scope to directly measure this current.

The method is taught in 3Phi skills transfer.

I have been using the SKF Tked1 for more than 25 years, and the experience during that period is summarized in this guide.

Failure after 3 months from Bearing Currents

Mark Gurney Motor Analyst

3Phi Reliability SARL (The GO TO bearing fluting specialists)

www.3phi-reliability.com

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(install‑right) — to maximize electric motor reliability, reduce failures and improve energy efficiency. Based on a large field dataset from 3Phi Reliability showing how impedance imbalance and poor terminations affect motor life and performance. ", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/how-to-gain-electric-motor-reliability-with-two-initiatives", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/motor-reliability-two-initiatives.jpg", "datePublished": "2023-04-23", "dateModified": "2023-04-23", "keywords": [ "electric motor reliability", "motor acceptance testing", "motor installation best practice", "impedance imbalance", "motor termination quality", "motor circuit analysis", "preventive maintenance", "motor energy efficiency", "AllTestPro", "motor reliability initiatives", "industrial motor maintenance", "motor purchase specification" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/how-current-frequency-response-detects-winding-defects-in-electric-motors" }, "headline": "How Current Frequency Response detects Winding defects in Electric Motors", "description": "Explains how Current Frequency Response (C/F) testing — a low‑voltage, maintenance‑friendly method defined in IEEE 1415 — can detect winding defects in motors by injecting a tone into the winding and comparing current responses across phases to identify coil or insulation faults from anywhere in the circuit.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/how-current-frequency-response-detects-winding-defects-in-electric-motors", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/current-frequency-response-winding-defects.jpg", "datePublished": "2023-04-16", "dateModified": "2023-04-16", "keywords": [ "current frequency response", "motor winding defects", "electric motor testing", "motor reliability", "MCA", "winding fault detection", "AllTestPro", "preventive maintenance", "phase imbalance detection", "industrial motors", "motor condition monitoring" ], "articleSection": "Motor Testing & Diagnostics" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/impedance-imbalance-in-an-electric-motor-wastes-energy" }, "headline": "Impedance Imbalance in an Electric Motor wastes Energy", "description": "Explains how impedance imbalance in an electric motor — due to mismatched reactance or winding/rotor/circuit defects — causes inefficient current draw, heat losses, reduced efficiency and shortened motor life. The article highlights how even motors with high efficiency classes can waste energy if impedance imbalance is not addressed.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/impedance-imbalance-in-an-electric-motor-wastes-energy", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/impedance-imbalance-energy-waste.jpg", "datePublished": "2023-04-15", "dateModified": "2023-04-15", "keywords": [ "impedance imbalance", "electric motor inefficiency", "motor energy waste", "motor losses", "motor reliability", "motor circuit analysis", "induction motor testing", "reactance imbalance", "winding defects", "rotor defects", "preventive maintenance", "industrial motors" ], "articleSection": "Motor Efficiency & Reliability" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/changing-motors-from-iec2-to-iec3-or-iec-4-does-it-pay-back" }, "headline": "Changing Motors from IEC2 to IEC3, or IEC 4, does it Pay Back?", "description": "Analysis of the potential energy‑cost savings and payback period when replacing older IEC2‑class motors with higher‑efficiency IEC3 or IEC4 motors — compared to alternative strategies such as electrical preventive maintenance to correct circuit/wiring issues.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/changing-motors-from-iec2-to-iec3-or-iec-4-does-it-pay-back", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/iec2-to-iec3-iec4-payback.jpg", "datePublished": "2022-12-20", "dateModified": "2022-12-20", "keywords": [ "IEC2 motor", "IEC3 motor", "IEC4 motor", "motor energy efficiency", "motor replacement payback", "electric motor operating cost", "industrial motors", "energy savings", "motor maintenance strategy", "electric motor reliability", "motor circuit maintenance", "preventive maintenance" ], "articleSection": "Motor Efficiency & Energy Savings" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/how-common-mode-voltages-bearing-currents-are-created-part-one" }, "headline": "How Common Mode Voltages (Bearing Currents) are created, Part One", "description": "Explains how common‑mode voltages produced by inverter (VFD) drives can generate high‑frequency common‑mode currents that flow through motor windings, shafts, and bearings — leading to bearing fluting, insulation damage and reduced motor reliability if grounding, cable screening or mitigation measures are not properly applied.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/how-common-mode-voltages-bearing-currents-are-created-part-one", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/common-mode-voltage-bearing-currents.jpg", "datePublished": "2022-12-08", "dateModified": "2022-12-08", "keywords": [ "common mode voltage", "bearing currents", "inverter driven motors", "motor reliability", "bearing fluting", "electric motor maintenance", "VFD motor protection", "motor insulation damage", "EMF cores", "shaft voltage", "motor grounding", "industrial motors" ], "articleSection": "Bearing Currents & Motor Protection" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/the-number-one-ranked-electrical-preventative-maintenance-task-to-save-energy-and-stop-bearing-currents" }, "headline": "The number one ranked Electrical Preventative Maintenance Task to Save Energy and Stop Bearing Currents.", "description": "Explains why checking and maintaining the MEN (Multiple Earth Neutral) link — ensuring a low‑resistance neutral‑to‑earth bond and balanced 3‑phase supply — is considered the top electrical preventive maintenance task. Proper MEN link maintenance prevents supply imbalance, reduces common‑mode voltage from VFDs, decreases energy losses, and mitigates bearing current risk for electric motors.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/the-number-one-ranked-electrical-preventative-maintenance-task-to-save-energy-and-stop-bearing-currents", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/men-link-maintenance.jpg", "datePublished": "2022-12-05", "dateModified": "2022-12-05", "keywords": [ "MEN link", "neutral to earth bond", "electrical preventative maintenance", "motor energy efficiency", "bearing currents mitigation", "motor reliability", "variable frequency drive", "common mode voltage", "power quality", "industrial motor maintenance", "energy savings", "supply imbalance prevention" ], "articleSection": "Motor Protection & Maintenance" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/extraction-fan-1924-gbp-per-annum-energy-savings" }, "headline": "Extraction Fan, 1924 GBP per Annum Energy Savings", "description": "Case study showing how optimising or replacing an extraction fan system can yield significant energy savings (approx. £1,924 per year), by reducing unnecessary running time and improving system efficiency — highlighting cost-effective maintenance for HVAC and ventilation systems.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/extraction-fan-1924-gbp-per-annum-energy-savings", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/extraction-fan-energy-saving.jpg", "datePublished": "2022-12-05", "dateModified": "2022-12-05", "keywords": [ "extraction fan", "energy savings", "ventilation fan efficiency", "industrial ventilation", "fan maintenance", "HVAC energy efficiency", "electric fan energy use", "preventive maintenance", "ventilation system cost savings", "motor efficiency", "fan operating cost" ], "articleSection": "Energy Efficiency & Ventilation" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/why-high-frequency-drive-emissions-are-deadly-for-electric-motor-insulation" }, "headline": "Why High Frequency Drive Emissions are Deadly for Electric Motor Insulation", "description": "Explains how high-frequency emissions from VFD/inverter drives can degrade motor insulation and shorten motor life — highlighting the effects of high switching frequency, capacitive coupling, skin-effect, bearing currents and insulation stress under PWM supply.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/why-high-frequency-drive-emissions-are-deadly-for-electric-motor-insulation", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/high-frequency-drive-insulation-issue.jpg", "datePublished": "2022-10-30", "dateModified": "2022-10-30", "keywords": [ "high frequency drive emissions", "VFD motor insulation damage", "inverter driven motor risks", "common mode voltage", "bearing currents", "motor insulation degradation", "electric motor maintenance", "PWM drive effects", "motor reliability", "insulation stress", "industrial motors", "preventive maintenance" ], "articleSection": "Motor Protection & Reliability" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/phase-angle-test-an-effective-means-of-determining-electric-motor-winding-health" }, "headline": "Phase Angle Test an Effective Means of Determining Electric Motor Winding Health", "description": "Details how the phase angle test — a de-energized, low-voltage method listed in IEEE 1415:2006 — can be used to assess the health of an electric motor’s winding by detecting early changes in inductance, capacitance or insulation, often before traditional tests show abnormalities.", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/phase-angle-test-an-effective-means-of-determining-electric-motor-winding-health", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/blog/phase-angle-test-motor-winding-health.jpg", "datePublished": "2022-10-23", "dateModified": "2022-10-23", "keywords": [ "phase angle test", "motor winding health", "electric motor testing", "motor circuit analysis", "inductance test", "winding insulation condition", "industrial motor maintenance", "predictive maintenance", "motor reliability", "IEEE 1415", "motor preventive maintenance" ], "articleSection": "Motor Testing & Diagnostics" } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/common-defect-in-air-compressors-with-star-delta-starters" }, "headline": "Common Defect in Air Compressors with Star Delta Starters", "description": "Discussion of frequent high-resistance and connection defects in air compressors using Star-Delta starters, leading to motor insulation decay and reduced service life if not maintained properly.", "datePublished": "2022-09-26", "dateModified": "2022-09-26", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/common-defect-in-air-compressors-with-star-delta-starters", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/common-defect-in-air-compressors-with-star-delta-starters", "keywords": [ "air compressors", "star delta starter", "Star-Delta", "motor winding defects", "high resistance defects", "motor insulation decay", "electric motor preventive maintenance", "motor testing", "compressor reliability", "energy savings" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/bearing-currents-on-motor-drive-units" }, "headline": "Bearing Currents on Motor Drive Units", "description": "Discussion of how high-frequency currents from variable-frequency drives (VFDs) can cause bearing fluting, insulation issues and bearing failures — and how fitting EMF cores can suppress these bearing currents effectively.", "datePublished": "2022-09-25", "dateModified": "2022-09-25", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/bearing-currents-on-motor-drive-units", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/bearing-currents-on-motor-drive-units", "keywords": [ "bearing currents", "motor drive units", "variable frequency drive", "VFD", "EMF cores", "bearing fluting", "motor reliability", "electric motor maintenance", "common mode voltage", "shaft currents" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/variable-speed-drive-preventative-maintenance" }, "headline": "Variable Speed Drive Preventative Maintenance", "description": "Procedure to test Rectifier & Converter of Variable Speed Drives (VFDs) to detect diode or component defects before functional failure — reducing common mode currents, bearing currents and improving long-term motor reliability.", "datePublished": "2022-08-28", "dateModified": "2022-08-28", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/variable-speed-drive-preventative-maintenance", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/variable-speed-drive-preventative-maintenance", "keywords": [ "variable speed drive", "VFD", "preventative maintenance", "rectifier test", "diode test", "motor reliability", "bearing currents", "common mode current", "electrical maintenance", "drive servicing" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/what-are-the-methods-of-testing-an-electric-motor" }, "headline": "What are the Methods of Testing an Electric Motor", "description": "Comprehensive overview of the accepted test methods (from IEEE Std 1415-2006) for assessing electric motor health: insulation resistance, dielectric/dissipation factor, winding resistance, surge test, partial discharge, current/voltage analyses, vibration, thermography, oil/grease analysis, and other condition-based techniques recommended by 3Phi Reliability.", "datePublished": "2022-08-14", "dateModified": "2022-08-14", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/what-are-the-methods-of-testing-an-electric-motor", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/what-are-the-methods-of-testing-an-electric-motor", "keywords": [ "electric motor testing", "motor testing methods", "insulation resistance", "dissipation factor", "winding resistance", "surge test", "partial discharge", "vibration analysis", "thermography", "motor maintenance", "motor condition monitoring" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/financial-justification-of-motor-replacement" }, "headline": "Financial Justification of Motor Replacement", "description": "Explains how inefficiencies and impedance imbalance in electric motors can lead to increased energy costs and reduced reliability — showing how a motor test and financial calculation (using the 3Phi Energy Calculator) can justify replacement, with fast payback and gains in energy savings and uptime.", "datePublished": "2022-08-13", "dateModified": "2022-08-13", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/financial-justification-of-motor-replacement", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/financial-justification-of-motor-replacement", "keywords": [ "motor replacement", "electric motor inefficiency", "impedance imbalance", "energy savings", "motor reliability", "cost justification", "life-cycle cost", "energy efficiency", "electric motor maintenance", "return on investment" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/checklist-for-implementing-an-electrical-preventative-maintenance-program-electric-motor-testing" }, "headline": "Checklist for Implementing an Electrical Preventative Maintenance Program (Electric Motor Testing)", "description": "Guide to implementing an electrical preventative maintenance program focused on electric motor testing: covering people & process engagement, proper tooling, realistic scope, visual and electrical checks (resistance/impedance, insulation, wiring, terminations, grounding), regular scheduling, and avoiding reactive‑maintenance pitfalls.", "datePublished": "2022-08-09", "dateModified": "2022-08-09", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/checklist-for-implementing-an-electrical-preventative-maintenance-program-electric-motor-testing", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/checklist-for-implementing-an-electrical-preventative-maintenance-program-electric-motor-testing", "keywords": [ "electrical preventative maintenance", "motor testing", "electric motor maintenance", "preventative maintenance checklist", "motor reliability", "insulation testing", "resistance testing", "impedance testing", "maintenance program implementation", "asset management" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/electric-motors-failures" }, "headline": "Electric Motors Failures", "description": "Overview of common failure modes in electric motors — including data from studies showing motor bearing and winding defects, especially on motors connected to variable‑speed drives — and recommendations for electrical maintenance programmes and motor circuit analysis to detect defects early.", "datePublished": "2023-07-24", "dateModified": "2023-07-24", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/electric-motors-failures", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/electric-motors-failures", "keywords": [ "electric motors failures", "motor defects", "bearing defects", "winding defects", "variable speed drive motors", "motor reliability", "motor circuit analysis", "preventive maintenance", "drive related failures", "industrial motor maintenance" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } } { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/stop-bearing-fluting-currents-at-the-source" }, "headline": "Stop Bearing Fluting Currents at the Source", "description": "Explains how high‑frequency bearing currents from variable‑speed drives (VFDs) cause bearing fluting, insulation and lubrication damage — and how proper grounding plus installation of EMF cores effectively reduces harmful currents by over 99%, protecting motor bearings, lubrication and insulation.", "datePublished": "2022-08-06", "dateModified": "2022-08-06", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "3Phi Reliability", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/images/logo.png" } }, "url": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/stop-bearing-fluting-currents-at-the-source", "image": "https://www.3phi-reliability.com/blog/stop-bearing-fluting-currents-at-the-source", "keywords": [ "bearing fluting", "bearing currents", "variable speed drive", "VFD", "EMF cores", "motor insulation", "motor lubrication", "motor reliability", "electrical grounding", "industrial motor maintenance" ], "articleSection": "Motor Reliability & Maintenance", "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "xpath": [ "/html/head/title", "//h1", "//p" ] } }
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