Swimming Pool Motors, Trouble Shooting Guide
Swimming Pool Motors, Troubleshooting
Pool Motors
When Selecting a motor for replacement, begin with the nameplate on the motor, key factors`tors include the frame type, voltage, RPM's and Service factor, match the replacement to the specifications on the nameplate. If a motor has failed and is less than 3-4 years old, there might exist some external factor such as a pump running without water, or a filter being sized to small. If this is the case one should determine that the original motor was the correct one:
Was the original motor installed correctly, particularly regarding the electrical connections? Was the power supply correct? Was the motor the proper size, speed, horsepower? Was the motor and pump impeller matched correctly? Was the filter sized correctly; Is the pressure of the filter within the operating range suggested by the manufacturer?
Trouble Shooting Motors
Swimming Pool Motors
| Trouble | Possible Causes |
Possible Solution |
| Motor Fails to Start | Blown Fuses | Replace fuse with at least 125% of nameplate amperes. |
| Improper Current Supply | Check to see that power supplied agrees with motor nameplate and load factor. | |
| Improper line connections | Check connections to determine if they agree with the motor nameplate and that they match the incoming voltage | |
| Mechanical Failure | Check to see if motor and drive turn freely | |
| Shorted Circuited stator | Motor be be rewound or replaced | |
| Rotor Defective | Look for broken bars or end rings | |
| Motor may be overloaded | Reduce load, clean filter, increase filter size, replace motor with more Horsepower. | |
| Defective Capacitor | Check for short circuit, grounded or open capacitor | |
| Motor Stalls | Wrong Application | Change type and size of motor. |
| Overloaded Motor | Reduce Load | |
| Low Motor Voltage | See that motor nameplate voltage is maintained | |
| Open Circuit | Fuses Blown, check overload relay, stator and push buttons if applicable | |
| Motor Runs and then Dies Down | Power Failure | Check for loose connections, overheating, or blown fuse |
| Motor Does not Come Up to Speed | Voltage too low at motor terminals | Use Higher voltage on transformer terminals |
| Starting load to high | Check load motor is supposed to start | |
| Motor Takes to Long to accelerate | Excess Loading | Reduce Load |
| Poor Circuit | Check for High Resistance | |
| Defective Squirrel Cage Motor | Replace with new motor | |
| Applied voltage to low | Get Power company to increase power tap | |
| Motor Overheats while running under load. | Overload | Reduce Overload |
| Wrong Blowers or Air Shields | Clean motor vents | |
| Grounded Coil | Locate and repair or replace | |
| Unbalanced terminal voltage | Check for faulty leads, connections and transformers | |
| Shorted stator coil | repair and the check wattmeter reading | |
| Faulty Connection | Indicated by high resistance. | |
| High voltage | check terminal of motor with a voltmeter. | |
| Low Voltage | Check terminals of motor with a voltmeter. | |
| Rotor Rubs Stator bore | Replace worn bearings. |