Motor Management: Powerful Benefits
Part 1: Motor Management Can Reduce Repair Costs by 50 Percent
Part 2: Motor Management: Data Necessary to Evaluate Motor Operations
Part 3: How to Make a Business Case for Motor-Management Programs
Motor Management Can Reduce Repair Costs by 50 Percent
By James Piper, P.E. - February 2010
The proper operation of electric motors in institutional and commercial facilities is a critical yet often overlooked item by maintenance and engineering managers. In addition to driving every pump and fan in HVAC systems, as well as every elevator, escalator, and conveyor system, electric motors also account for nearly one-third of the electricity used in a typical building.
Without an effective motor-management system, managers are likely to miss out on a real opportunity to reduce operating costs while cutting service interruptions to building occupants.
Quantifying Savings
Comprehensive motor-management systems deal with more than just the motor. They incorporate the quality and quantity of power delivered to the motor, the motor's starter and control system, the mechanical coupling between the motor and its drive load, and the load itself. Managers can ensure more efficient motor operation only by addressing the entire motor system.
Managers who have implemented such a system typically experience a reduction of 50 percent in motor-repair costs, a reduction of nearly 70 percent in motor-related emergency work orders, and a reduction of more than two-thirds in the frequency and duration of service interruptions.
While motor-management systems have proven their value in existing facilities, managers should not overlook their value in new facilities. The systems can assist during commissioning activities to identify defects in motor manufacture and installation — defects managers otherwise would not detect until the motor fails and requires overhauling or replacement.
