How Do I Test A Small Electric Motor

Small universal motors as for portable electric drills may contain extensive circuitry including a switch and brushes.

How do i test a small electric motor.

This will check every coil in the motor armature. They generally operate on low voltage electricity 6 to 24 volts and are powered by batteries or a transformer that reduces 110 volts to the required low voltage. Small electric motors operate a wide variety of electrical devices such as remote control models children s railroad sets and computers. Most electric motors whether ac or dc fail after time for reasons that may not be electrical in nature.

If it stays shorted or does not rise there is probably an issue with the capacitor and may need to be replaced. 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. Check c to e s to e r to e. If you hook the battery leads of the motor up to a.

Consult the motor schematic or a diagram of the motor s windings and use the meter to measure the resistance of the windings. To check an electric motor to see. Again the specific value is based on the motor design wires per loop number of turns per coil and wire gauge. Set the voltage setting of the insulation resistance tester to 500v and check motor windings to earth.

Each winding leg should have some small resistance reading. Testing electric motors doesn t have to be a mystery. The second check is the bar to bar resistance test pictured on right. You can see that this is a small motor about as big around as a dime.

Knowledge of the basics together with powerful new test equipment vastly simplifies the job. From the outside you can see the steel can that forms the body of the motor an axle a nylon end cap and two battery leads. In the ohmmeter mode connect the meter to the plug and monitor the resistance as you wiggle the cord where it enters the enclosure. Placing the test probes on the capacitor terminals the resistance should start low and gradually increase as the small voltage supplied by the meter s battery gradually charges the capacitor.

The type of motor will determine the types of tests you will perform to troubleshoot it. Test for direct. So when a motor fails to operate it may not be obvious what the problem is. The meter should not show an open or a short when a winding leg is measured.

Electric motors have had a reputation for being a mix of science and magic. Identify the type of motor and examine its nameplate information.