DC Motor Repair or Maintenance
February 7, 2012Save Time when Troubleshooting DC Drives with Carotron’s Drive Circuit Monitor
February 15, 2012Efficient DC Motor: 3 Ways to Boost Energy Efficiency
| Need efficient DC motor ideas? Increasing energy efficiency is one of the top ways industrial facilities can trim operating expenses. Many applications still use the older “tried and true” DC motors for one of two reasons. The motor might be the perfect fit for a particular operation in terms of horsepower requirements, speed variation capabilities, and other specific application needs. Or perhaps it would simply be too expensive to try and switch over to an entirely different AC motor system. Therefore, energy consumption can often be measured based on how well the DC motor is performing as well as how smoothly it operates the machines and equipment that it powers. There are ways to increase energy efficiency, even if your facility still uses older DC motors. Here are 3 ideas…
1. Keep Up Motor Maintenance Implement a regular maintenance schedule for all DC motors for the prevention of larger problems that may come up in the future. DC motor maintenance should include inspecting the brushes and springs, cleaning out any residue, inspecting the bearings for wear, testing for accurate spring tension, and listening for any strange sounds while the motor is running. Also have the machine’s operator check regularly for overheating of the motor during operation. |
2. Check for Lubrication Issues
Lubrication issues may arise due to using the wrong type of lubrication for a particular motor, too much or too little lubrication, or failure to change or add lubricating agents on a regular schedule. Poor lubrication can cause the bearings to fail as well as churning or overheating of the motor. Although there are manufacturer recommendations regarding lubrication for DC motors, certain environments (such as very hot/cold areas or corrosive areas) may require lubrication of the motors more often. Avoid getting cheaper types of lubricant if it will not be sufficient for your operation. The energy saved can well make up for buying a better grade of lubricant.
3. Install New Upgraded DC Drives
DC drives today have upgraded features that help the motor and machinery it powers run much more efficiently. New DC drives such as those manufactured by Carotron, Inc. feature LCD displays with a back light, menu screens, simple programming capabilities, and more. Also, regenerative DC drives are a great fit for a number of applications. These enable an efficient DC motor to regenerate energy during operation, thus recycling mechanical and/or heat energy and reducing heat loss. With a smoother running motor that only runs as fast or slow as needed for the application, the entire operation becomes more efficient.
Use these three ideas to enhance the operation of any efficient DC motor and use less energy in your plant or facility. And don’t forget…energy saved is cash saved!
Check out our DC Drives selection or Call Carotron to discuss how to create an efficient DC motor and drive system for your application. We have knowledgeable reps and engineers on staff who are always willing to help: 1-888-286-8614