Stored motors
A motor that has been in storage should first be cleaned to bring it back to the condition that it was in when placed there. If there are any signs of damage, such as broken cooling fins, they should be investigated to assess whether any internal damage could have occurred and, where necessary, the damage repaired.
In an ideal scenario, motors should be stored in a vibration-free environment; however, this is not always practical. If the motor under inspection has been subject to vibration, there is a potential for the bearings to have been damaged. Even minimal ambient vibration will cause motor bearings to wear over time and can result in fretting or false brinelling, which can lead to motor failure. Therefore, unless there is complete certainty that the stored motor was not subjected to any vibration, the bearings should be inspected for signs of wear and replaced if necessary.
Bearing lubrication should also be considered when taking a motor from storage...
Read the full article in DPA's January issue