Like all pieces of machinery, equipment motors are subject to wear and tear with the passage of time. If you find that the motor in your equipment is starting to operate inefficiently, that is typically an indicator that the deterioration process has begun.
If your motor fails, or deteriorates to the point of impending failure, there are two basic options open to you that can resolve the problem:
- Motor replacement
- Motor rewinding
Before you make a final decision, you should consult with an expert after he or she has performed a thorough diagnosis of the motor. While motor replacement is the preferred option in many cases, there are also compelling reasons to consider motor rewinding—an armature winding process designed to restore the motor to optimal efficiency. This blog will discuss the two main reasons to consider rewinding over replacement.
#1: It’s Good for the Environment
Electric motors use a lot of power in day-to-day operations. While energy prices continually fluctuate, you can expect that an electric motor’s kilowatt usage will almost always add up to a significant cost.
Nevertheless, buying a new electric motor will typically leave a much larger carbon footprint than rewinding an older one currently in use. All of the old engine’s parts and materials are essentially recycled during the rewinding procedure.
Even though many companies that rely on equipment powered by electric motors concerned at the thought of engine failure—or even reduced efficiency—they often fail to take into account the environmental impact of buying a new motor as a replacement. While rewinding is an intricate process that requires extensive expertise, motor technicians have developed cutting-edge techniques to improve the procedure’s efficacy and ensure that rewound motors return to their original efficiency level.
Motor rewinding is not only more cost-effective than replacement, but it is also the eco-friendlier choice between the two as it bypasses the environmental toll that production of an entirely new unit would incur.
#2: Low Operating Cost
The motor rewinding process only costs approximately 40% of the price tag for a brand new unit, making it an attractive option for companies that place a high priority on thriftiness. These savings apply to both small motors and those found in larger machines, such as enclosed fan-cooled motors that use 100 horsepower or more.
Motor rewinding is not a viable option for all motors. For instance, if the motor’s laminations (or magnetic core) are damaged, then rewinding may not work. The same applies to motors that have experienced bearing failure. However, if the magnetic core is undamaged, then rewinding is a sensible and highly affordable option.
#3 Improved Efficiency
The myth that motor rewinding leads to a loss in efficiency is a concept that has been disproven as rewinding processes have evolved. Modern rewinding techniques will often improve, rather than reduce, the efficiency of electric motors.
It’s important to have a qualified professional perform the actual rewinding process to ensure optimal results. For example, they may need to remove old and damaged coils during the rewinding procedure and replace them with new coils to ensure that the motor generates power within proper tolerances.
Partnering with Motor Rewinding Experts
For 30 years, Renown Electric has worked with customers from diverse industries to lower costs from electric motor rebuilding and rewinding while ensuring that their machines operate at peak efficiency. Our team of motor rewinding experts has the requisite skills and experience needed to deliver high quality work with quick turnaround times.