How To Check A Small Electric Motor

The meter should not show an open or a short when a winding leg is measured.

How to check a small electric motor. The bearings allow the shaft or rotor assembly to turn freely and smoothly in the frame. Begin to check the bearings of the motor. Check the motor load and inspect the drive belt tension to ensure it s not too tight. Small electric motors operate a wide variety of electrical devices such as remote control models children s railroad sets and computers.

Each winding leg should have some small resistance reading. Load to motor may be excessive or unbalanced. Small universal motors as for portable electric drills may contain extensive circuitry including a switch and brushes. This is the case for the motors on deep well submersible pumps where the capacitor and starter relay are located away from the submersed motor.

Test the winding for shorted or open circuits. Check the starter control box for capacitor start motors where this function is separate from the motor itself and no malfunctions are evident with the motor body itself. In the ohmmeter mode connect the meter to the plug and monitor the resistance as you wiggle the cord where it enters the enclosure. Check the power supply to make sure voltage is accurate.

Check c to e s to e r to e. For defective winding replace the motor. Minimum test value for a good electric motor is at least 1mω running amps test with the motor running check the full load amps fla with a suitable meter or preferably a clamp on meter and compare with the motor name plate fla. Bearings are located at both ends of the motor which are sometimes called bell housings or end bells.

The amps may also be high.