Reliability and uptime are engrained in our Service DNA, and we take pride in the quality of products produced. In the event of field issues needing a deep-dive analysis, Nidec will support your needs by engaging the various functional areas of our enterprise to quickly perform the necessary reviews to address and resolve your issues. We are available to perform on-site unit analysis and/or returned to our manufacturing facility for a thorough review by our experienced team of engineers and operations personnel. We will do a thorough teardown, analysis, and develop a plan to correct any deficiencies and repair to OEM specifications ensuring an “as-new” condition upon completion. Our state-of-the-art test systems will ensure motor performance validations are performed with comparisons to testing performed when initially manufactured.

In the event that you need an expedited turn-around time to get your product back on-line, we have a global authorized service network of shops that will provide the utmost quality of repair.

Motor Repair:

Motor repairs can be provided through two options:

1. Nidec Facility

• Offer OEM repair services for sites with spare motors or sites not needing immediate turnaround

2. Authorized EASA Shop partner

• For end users needing a fast motor turnaround time

Nidec/U.S. MOTORS, a long time manufacturer of pump motors for the water industry, has issued a memorandum outlining the steps needed to evaluate motors for safety and performance after being exposed to severe weather. This includes new motors stored in warehouses that may have experienced water damage.

“Hurricanes and tropical storms continue to pose a threat to municipal plants in the South and the Gulf states,” said Dave Lyle, Vice President of Quality for Nidec/U.S. MOTORS. “This information from Nidec will be helpful for those currently dealing with rebuilding as well as those who want to be prepared for future storms.” 

While some of the obvious damage will be rusted motor shafts or contaminated bearings and lubricants, other components like the electrical insulation, when exposed even briefly to moisture, can damage the windings and result in ground failures, Lyle said. 

In addition, damage from saltwater can cause rusting of the stator and rotor cores and corrode copper windings and copper or aluminum rotor cages, leading to motor failure. Flushing and cleaning out the saltwater before the equipment dries can prevent this issue, Lyle added. 

The Nidec/U.S. MOTORS memorandum includes the following guidance. 

Motors subjected to water ingress and flooding 

WARNING / ELECTROCUTION HAZARD: Disconnect power immediately throughout any facility subjected to water / flooding ingress as there is a potential for electrocution which could result in physical injury or death whenever motors are subjected to water ingress and flooding.  Motors should not be energized and instead need to be taken to an authorized EASA motor service shop for full analysis and inspections. These analyses and inspections should include the following:  

1. Incoming visual inspection 
2. Incoming electrical tests 
3. Motor(s) will be opened, and internal components and parts inspected. 

After inspection, if the motor shows signs of water ingress, the following activities need to be performed:

• Full cleaning of all parts, internal and external 
• Motor service shop will flush out any saltwater / moisture during cleaning process
• Verify all mechanical dimensions are within the manufacturers design specifications
• Replacement of the bearings 
• Drying the wound stator by placing in oven 
• Re-assemble the motor
• Perform final test of the motor(s) prior to returning to the customer/end user. These tests will consist of electrical test of the winding (insulation resistance) and a test run of the motor at the shop. 

“We encourage treatment plant operators who have experienced storm damage to prioritize motors and generators for repair and replacement,” Lyle said. “Acting quickly will increase the odds that the motors can be restored for safe and efficient performance.” 

For questions pertaining to motors subjected to flooding and/or storm damage, Nidec’s Product Service Engineers can be reached at 1-800-566-1418. The service teams have decades of experience handling customer questions and providing guidance on motor operation and troubleshooting. 

Additional information on the U.S. MOTORS line for water and wastewater applications can be found at: https://acim.nidec.com/motors/usmotors/Industry-Applications/Water-and-Wastewater. Nidec has a strong inventory of in-stock replacement motors for those in need of immediate shipment.