When a conveyor motor stops mid-shift, the production line stops with it. That was the situation at a manufacturing plant where a conveyor belt motor kept cutting out and its motor protection device kept tripping. Every stop meant lost production time, and the cause of the fault was unknown.
The plant called in an industrial electrician from Jarlam Electrics to carry out industrial motor troubleshooting, find the fault and get the line running reliably again.
Background
The conveyor belt motor was essential to the production line. While it was not operating correctly, manufacturing was delayed and output was at risk.
Intermittent faults are some of the hardest to diagnose. The motor can run normally for a period before it stops again, so the problem is rarely visible when someone first looks at it.
The Problem: An Intermittent Motor Fault
- The conveyor motor intermittently stopped during operation.
- The motor protection device was tripping.
- Production was being interrupted, creating delays and potential financial losses.
- The cause of the fault was initially unknown.
A protection device that keeps tripping is doing its job. It signals that something needs attention, so resetting it and carrying on is not a fix.
The Solution: Step-By-Step Motor Fault Finding
Safe Isolation First
The electrical supply was isolated and lockout/tagout procedures were applied in accordance with site safety requirements before any work started.
Inspection And Electrical Testing
The motor, electrical connections, control circuit and protection devices were all inspected. Appropriate electrical tests were then carried out to narrow down the fault.
Finding The Cause
Testing identified a loose electrical connection that was contributing to overheating and intermittent operation. A loose connection adds resistance at the terminal, which creates heat, and it can make and break contact as it warms and cools. That explains a motor that runs, stops and runs again.
Repair, Testing And Handover
- Repaired the connection.
- Checked the relevant protection settings.
- Tested the motor before returning it to service.
- Documented the work and informed the maintenance supervisor of the findings.
The Outcome
The motor operated normally after the repair, reducing production interruptions and improving equipment reliability. The maintenance team also has a documented record of the fault and the fix.
Industrial Electrical Fault Finding With Jarlam Electrics
Jarlam Electrics provides electrical repair and fault finding for manufacturing plants, from motors and control circuits to protection devices. Where a fault links back to the control system, our PLC programming and electrical automation team can step in as well.
If downtime is costing your production line, speak with the team about industrial motor troubleshooting and electrical maintenance.