Maintenance Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Southwest Electric

Maintenance

4 Common AC Motor Issues

Electrical AC motor issues can arise from a variety of causes and, if ignored, may result in equipment inefficiency or failure. Problems can happen with motors both used and new, from any manufacturer. It is important to know what kind of issues to look for so that you can begin to troubleshoot and increase your […]

Read More

5 Electrical Distribution System Mapping Methods

The electrical distribution system is often taken for granted until the lights are off and production has ground to a halt. When that happens, system drawings and operational plans are critical to recovery. In this article, we will discuss 5 electrical distribution system mapping methods to improve your electrical documentation on design, settings, and operational […]

Read More

Top 5 Switchgear Preventative Maintenance Must-do’s

If your facility’s priorities involve safety, extending equipment life, or meeting a budget, mastering switchgear preventative maintenance is essential to achieving your goals. This article will guide you through the five most important things to consider for switchgear PM.   1- Properly Isolate Your Switchgear Nothing is more important than safety, so knowing how to […]

Read More

3 Steps to 3 Phase Motor Rewinding

During the life span of every 3 phase electric AC motor, the stator windings will need to be rewound. The timing of a needed motor rewinding will vary according to the application and environment. Mechanical failures could also cause the rotor to fail unexpectedly, calling for a rewind. When stator windings do fail, there are […]

Read More

Traditional Transformer Oil vs. Today’s Alternative Fluids

The following article was published in Transformer Technology‘s Issue 9. Read the original article here. Today, most transformers are filled with mineral oil. This has been the case since the late 19th century, when chemist Elihu Thomson, whose company later merged to form General Electric, patented the use of mineral oil in transformers to help […]

Read More

5 Questions to Ask Before Replacing or Upgrading Switchgear

Replacing or upgrading switchgear can be overwhelming, especially when you have limitations on footprint, downtime, access, and budget. Here are 5 questions to ask before making the decision to spend money on your equipment. 1 – What is Driving the Need to Replace or Upgrade? The reason behind your need to replace or upgrade your […]

Read More

The Importance of Electrical Testing Your Transformer

Testing your equipment is an important part of making sure your transformers are operating correctly and efficiently. The most common and cheapest form of testing for a transformer is usually oil testing, but what do you do when the results of oil testing are questionable? You can try verifying the test with another oil sample, […]

Read More

3 Key Areas to Examine During a Transformer Visual Inspection

3 Key Areas to Examine During a Transformer Visual Inspection A thorough visual inspection is an important part of your transformer maintenance. You can perform your own inspection easily and cost-free if you know what to look for. At first glance, what do you see? A big (likely gray) box with various items attached to […]

Read More

The 5 W’s of Transformer Oil Analysis

The 5 W’s of Transformer Oil Analysis Transformer oil testing and analysis is often overlooked yet is an integral part of keeping your transformers maintained. The process is very similar to a blood test you might have performed by a doctor – the results tell us what is going on inside and give us the […]

Read More

Substation Upgrade | 5 Ways to Save Money & Minimize Downtime

Your facility is adding new equipment this year, and you are tasked with upgrading, installing, and maintaining the existing substation with minimal downtime and a very limited budget. How do you do it? Apply these 5 recommendations to your new substation upgrade and deliver on-time and within budget, while keeping your workforce safe and your […]

Read More