Electric Motor Testing

[Ulma Doctor]

i made a short video on testing the windings on a 5 wire 115v 1/2 hp 1740 rpm General Electric single phase capacitor start motor.

other motors will test very similar

 

[Janderso]

Very good sir.
Ill check things out.

 

[Janderso]

I’m hoping my Fluke T5-1000 is adequate?

 

[benmychree]

It would be just a fluke if it was adequate ----

 

[Ulma Doctor]

I’m hoping my Fluke T5-1000 is adequate?

I used an inexpensive HF multi-meter in the video.
All you really need is a meter capable of measuring resistance

 

[Janderso]

It would be just a fluke if it was adequate ----

Ha ha ha ha

 

[Janderso]

I used an inexpensive HF multi-meter in the video.
All you really need is a meter capable of measuring resistance

Once I get the wires exposed I’ll next need to determine or verify I have the probes checking the appropriate windings.
Baby steps, I’m a royal PITA.

 

[Janderso]

Ok, this is what I have.
What does it say?

 

[Ulma Doctor]

on the surface it appears the main windings have continuity, which is good

the next step will be testing the T5- it is the start leg
remove the capacitor cover and discharge the capacitor
remove one leg from the capacitor and test that lead against T5
then remove the other capacitor leg and test it against T5
if there is continuity on one of the capacitor leads, that's a good sign

we would next go to the centrifugal start switch next, if the above tests work out positive

 

[markba633csi]

There's one missing- where is T8?
Between T5 and T8 you should see the meter swing toward zero and then climb to infinity (OL)
Reverse the test leads and the same should happen. This tests the entire start circuit (start leg in the lingo)
It's helpful if your meter has a bar graph display to simulate an analog meter (best is to actually have a cheap analog meter with a needle)
-Mark