This quarter’s newsletter will feature an article on some common reasons for bearing failures, some simple solutions to prevent them, as well as an in-depth review of a proper energy audit, and finally an overview of mechanical services provided by Northwest Electric. We would like to thank you for subscribing to this newsletter and hopefully, it provides you some helpful information to eliminate some headaches.
Common failures and measures to prevent bearing failure.
Under and Over Greasing Bearings: The under greasing of bearings will cause them to run hot and ultimately fail. When too much grease is placed in a bearing it causes the bearing to run hot. The extra grease creates excesses friction on the bearing races thus causing it to overheat and eventually fail. Consult the manufacturer’s manual for proper greasing recommendations. The use of an ultrasonic grease gun is an additional way to prevent both under and over greasing.
Vibration: Excessive vibration can and will cause bearings to fail prematurely. Motors and equipment need to be kept clean and balanced according to the motor specs. Having a regularly scheduled PM program will help prevent unscheduled downtime caused by excessive vibration. Electrical Currents: Also known as shaft currents, can cause bearings to become pitted and scared eventually leading to bearing failure. Installing a grounding brush or insulated bearings are two simple ways to prevent pitting and scaring.
Contamination: Water and dirt contamination is a very common cause of bearing failures. Water and dirt can cause the grease to break down or dry out which in turn causes the bearing to run hot. There are several solutions to help eliminate this problem. Impro seals, shaft slingers, and sealed bearings will all do the trick but depending on the application and environment one might work better than the other. If you are experiencing bearing failures other than the ones listed above please contact our experienced service staff.
Service Spotlight - Pump Repair
Northwest Electric has been repairing electric motors for over 50 years. What you may not know is that Northwest Electric can also handle your pump repair. With service capabilities ranging from 5 hp sump pumps to large industrial pumps weighing up to 25,000 lbs, there isn’t much we can not handle. We offer on-site removal and all repairs are rebuilt to above factory standards, giving you the assurance that your pump will work like it is brand new. Add in a potentially 50% faster turnaround compared to OEM, you can see the time and money you will save. Here are just a few examples of the types of pumps Northwest has experience working on. Centrifugal Submersible Vertical Turbine Multistage/Single Stage Horizontal Split Case Vacuum Pumps For more information please feel free to contact us via phone (800-456-4264) or email (info@nwelectric.com). We look forward to talking to you about how we can help assist you with your pump issues.
Controls Spotlight - Energy Auditing
With the increased visibility and funding opportunities “Going Green” is becoming more and more popular; however, it is also easy to get lost in the hype. Determining areas where savings are attainable, practical and most importantly verifiable is an important step before investing in new technology or making process changes. This is where an energy audit performed by a qualified person can be invaluable. Energy Audits can be performed with a whole building approach or on a system by system basis to suit individual needs. Energy audits should be a multi-step process and can involve a great deal of research on your part to supply the proper information needed for system analysis. The typical audit process includes an initial plantar system tour to select areas that are candidates for operational or equipment changes that will result in energy savings. The next stage of the audit should include a usage and billing review so trends in the use and cost of energy over time can be determined. Often this review can also allow a customer to see operational changes that can affect energy use as well as pinpoint possible billing errors from the utility. Once the energy use and cost are trended, a “hit list” can be developed of which equipment or process changes can yield the greatest impact on the energy use and cost to the facility. With the hit list prepared an in-depth onsite audit takes place. This audit can include power use and quality metering, equipment specification review, as well as reviews of how the equipment is operated. Depending on the scope of the audit this process can take a few hours or several weeks to perform. The next step is for an in-depth report to be assembled and the report thoroughly reviewed with the energy team. Performing an energy audit provides an in-depth view of how systems and facilities use power as well as providing a tool for project prioritizing, selection, and review. The most important thing to remember is that energy use changes with time, so having a periodic audit plan can be of tremendous value and ensure that decisions and investments are made based on accurate and updated information. Northwest Electric Advanced Controls Group can assist you with all of your energy efficiency and auditing needs, if you have any questions or would like to find out about our industry-leading guarantee, contact us at 402-858-5560 or visit us online at www. advancedcontrolsgroup.com We would like to thank you for your business and look forward to providing you great customer service for years to come. Please feel free to give us a call regarding any of the information in this newsletter.
Sincerely,
Northwest Electric
