Motor Circuit Analysis – Overview

As with any Condition Monitoring program the value of the data is significantly enhanced when trended over a representative period.

The testing procedure consists of connecting the BJM unit test leads to each motor while in the off line condition. The connection is normally made in the main electrical control and if a fault is suspected then a followup test is carried out at the motor.

Most plants are monitored on a 3 monthly basis during a one or two day site visit.

Background

In 2002 CMA purchased a BJM motor circuit analyser (All Test IV Pro) to enable the detection of most electric motor faults. Typically most plants find that up to 20% of existing motors have unacceptable levels of electrical unbalance, which directly relate to excess power consumption, overheating and decreased motor life.

CMA is the only company who can integrate the complete range of CM technologies: Vibration, Oil, Thermography and Motor Circuit Analysis (MCA) into one Condition Monitoring Database.

Since 2002 CMA have become committed to developing MCA and have:

· completed a thorough investigation into the technology behind Motor Circuit Analysis,

· completed training in the interpretation of MCA results from Dr Howard Penrose, of BJM corporation in America,

· Developed a data link to enable the results from the BJM All Test IV Pro to be imported into the Entek Odyssey CM Software Database for tending and data storage.

· Completed successful trials at several sites including Sydney Water Malabar STP site with many faults detected, proving pay back on the tests.

. Successfully conducted hundreds of plant surveys, on all types of motors and identifying many many faults.