Troubleshooting a Motor Starter

#accesstopower #motorcontrol
accesstopower.com
In this episode, we will test a motor control starter panel to determine why the motor will not start. We incorporate proper PPE before performing voltage tests and we go through the entire circuit to determine what is wrong, how to fix it, and what may have been the cause of failure. Follow along and troubleshoot this circuit with me. Remember that when voltage testing a motor control circuit it is very important to test phase to phase and phase to ground. This will eliminate the possibility that voltage is traveling through a load, such as the motor windings, or control transformer windings, or even an LED lamp and causing you to believe that the power is on in all the phases when it is actually off and you are reading the same potential to ground on both or multiple phases.

[@scottbustos819]

This video should be used to train any motor controls tech. Took me years to get to this point, this would’ve saved a lot of trial and error.

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

Me as well. I spent 12 years as a locomotive technician and had to learn a lot on my own. Good video.

[@Hambxne]

this is one of those rare gems you find every once an awhile. thank you so much for this video walter!

[@AccessToPower]

Hambone. thanks for your very generous comment. it's very much appreciated!

[@SuperYos007]

Hey thanks for the video, I am an Electrical Field Engineer, I understand the electrical terminology. However seeing the actual Motor Control Breaker and unit really paints a bigger picture. Allowing me to understand the technician side of the work making it easier for me to understand his side and explain it better in my side. Both fields of study are very important in the Field. Thanks a lot again.

[@taylorsellers5244]

You have definitely earned my subscription! Seeing the troubleshooting process "step by step" really made the knowledge click for me. Great job

[@nickledimez4012]

Excellent videos!! Thank You! I am surprised that at my work none of the crew wear Ppe and we deal with 277-480 volts !! I have learned more from you In 10 minutes than I have in a semester or any journeyman at work.

[@deadontarget8503]

That level of PPE is unnecessary at voltages of 480 and lower. I have only suit up like that when dealing with higher voltage busses as an industrial electrician. With that being said, working in an horizontal panel like in the video does present additional safety concerns as he is work over top of the live lines.

[@jordanbilyeu3798]

I mean I agree we don’t use that much PPE either but if you follow OSHA this is what you get

[@bunnandjenn9405]

Thank you. I'm a new mechanic. i've learned a lot from your videos.

[@bekindalways7629]

Finally got the right lesson. Very simple and important

[@anthonymalone5515]

Well I must say this is the most informative video I have every seen. With hand on on demo. Thanks

[@AccessToPower]

Thanks for the great comment!

[@SparkyHelper]

Great video! My instructor recommended watching.

[@adanarceo4636]

Wow, amazing explanation sir, I'm getting, or should I say, I'm learning a lot with this presentations. Thank you very much for sharing this, and for your time and dedication on doing this videos. God bless.

[@gregoriocampo]

Thank you for share your knowledge. Great video

[@MrWestside925]

Dude Thanks for the call out on the NFPA cat levels & what it needs to be compliant.

[@chrislawson1233]

Great video, thank you for taking the time to make this. In the field, for the sake of time, I would do more half-splitting when checking for voltages. For example, I would have started by checking for mains voltage right at the starter, and only gone back to the breaker if I didn't have power at the starter itself.

[@AccessToPower]

Chris Lawson great point. This will spread up the trouble shooting process.

[@alexdelgado9231]

Thank you for this video. I wish school focused on this topic, but I’m sure my new job will train me in this aspect.

[@bhampresson]

Great job! Thank you so much!

[@jbombbeats2129]

Awesome video, awesome channel! You're truly changing lives with sharing your knowledge

[@AccessToPower]

Jake Lesperance thanks for your comment. I appreciate it.

[@ScientistPrepper]

What a good video and nice gentleman. Thank you very much.

[@GLENN1950ify]

Good video. Very informative. I may have done it a bit differently, but a good informative video.

[@athilaldurry5880]

Excellent video,many thanks for this wonderful information

[@djshamblez4.20]

great video, thank you for your expertise!

[@xevierred6330]

Thanks, I'm a field testing tech, but I have long ways to go. This helps me that's why I watch your videos.

[@AccessToPower]

Glad these videos are helping you. I appreciate the feedback

[@BetterThanSpam42]

Thorough troubleshooting, but it would have been much safer to test for any motor wiring shorts to ground before going for a motor start. Glad to see you promoting proper selection and use of PPE.

[@kennydieu2694]

Great tutorial video and very informative .Thank you

[@jamesandrew1117]

Appreciate the video! Thank you!

[@stanley1826]

Awesome video! Just wish you can see the meter display while doing the voltage checks. Will definitely check out some of your other videos.

[@AccessToPower]

thanks for the comments. I appreciate the feedback.

[@RaldasDetails]

Great video man!!

[@nicholasgarric2522]

great video Walter. Thanks a bunch bro

[@rmhanseniii]

Just another tip, always check the leads to your meter and make sure there are no nicks in the conductor insulation

[@dwaynes5983]

One time I was testing voltage, 90vdc, found out meter was bad. I check on known voltage to check meter.

[@KrizzNANDU]

Such a gem of a video

[@christophersoto2657]

Just a tip. when you test the line side power or any power make sure that you pull both leads of the meter off so you do not carry over an arc when checking the other phases. Just a tip to keep you safe.

[@truthbebold4009]

I was not aware of this hazard. I'm a newbie electrician and would like to get more knowledgeable on working/troubleshooting in panels along with associated hazards. What's a good online resource or book for this topic? That all covered in NFPA 70e? I haven't delved into that area much. Thanks

[@christophersoto2657]

Read the NFPA70E handbook that will get you started in the right direction.

[@mrm768]

follow the power. that easy. great vid!!

[@samarchaudhary2899]

Brilliant please make more videos of installation too. Thank you

[@waywardson71]

Great information and well taught

[@josemelendrez1429]

Great video ! It would be nice if you could do a demo video on how the Auto function works with a common problem like PLC signal missing or any other signal problem. Very good job showing the hand function of the motor! Will definitely check some of your future videos!

[@iddrisurafiw1694]

Sire please how can I troubleshoot an Smc flex soft starter tripping on fault 18 no load. Please help me out. Thank you.

[@elihotchkiss87]

This is a very good point to point video. Thank you.

[@philliplee7703]

Very good video, please continue 🎉

[@christopherbabb7065]

Great video!

[@gregariouswoodworks1270]

Absolutely amazing quality video and explanation.

[@AccessToPower]

Thank you

[@DigispotAcademy]

great guide for biginers. thanks

[@lance4428]

great video! learned alot!

[@ikeguinalang3009]

Thank you!

[@appurajraj1938]

Great video. Please also do a video in trouble shooting VFD panels

[@AccessToPower]

Appuraj, Thanks for commenting on the video. we will be putting out more content regularly. we are currently trying for once a week. There will be a new VFD video coming out tomorrow morning, so stay tuned.

[@henrybartlett1986]

Really useful.

[@joehamilton5467]

Very helpful....please make more

[@bigt443]

Good video very helpful Big T

[@Deuce_390]

Great video 👍

[@danielsundimasimbo2772]

This is very useful thank you 😊

[@AccessToPower]

Thank you, I appreciate your comments. Glad the contact was useful

[@slip0n0fall]

Good video - as likely mentioned below, you need to check that all phases are fully pulling in on the contractor/starter. An apprentice will learn this VERY quick the first time they replace a motor only to find out it's a bad contactor. :D

[@douglaspollock102]

What is the method for checking?

[@Chevroletcelebrity]

*contactor not contractor

[@timdunk7278]

That was awesome! Thank you

[@AccessToPower]

Thank you

[@nikolaisemenoff9092]

Superb. Thank you

[@monzurhasan3583]

Wow, want more control panel troubleshooting Video 💖💖💖

[@jessebellino9780]

Thank you sir!

[@gouravdubey7554]

Very useful.. Thanx...

[@fortvalor]

Good stuff!

[@hectortorres542]

Thank you for the video,

[@AccessToPower]

Your welcome

[@05Rm250RideAlong]

Great video

[@dwaynes5983]

Nice video. After testing if voltage at coil. Shut down disconnect wires to coil and ohm coil. Sometimes it's bad.

[@sohailjanjua123]

Hi, I like your video. Thanks

[@popsmccartney435]

Thanks for sharing

[@AccessToPower]

Thanks for Commenting on our Troubleshooting a Motor Starter video, and for subscribing to our channel. We are trying to put out useful and engaging content. Thanks again.

[@riyazmulla779]

Hi thanks

[@riyazmulla779]

Do the video of 3.3kv chiller panel starter scr ( bad) so how we should problem

[@bendoherty7721]

Before testing to ground it is always good practice to test ground to ground to make sure you have a good ground

[@elmasbuscado909]

Thats stupid how are you going to measure ground to ground when your not sure if you have a good ground

[@mrreams711]

That's rather useless. There's no potential either way whether you have a good ground or not. You will see 0 volts in both instances... Nice try

[@bendoherty7721]

Test the resistance on the ohms settings. Come on lads. Use your nogging

[@mrreams711]

@@bendoherty7721 still doesn't yeild reliable results as a low resistance does not garantee current carrying capability.

[@TwinTurboRamAir]

Excellent video

[@AccessToPower]

Thank you very much!

[@olukayodeolagbami4419]

Very informative video! I loved the way you start from selecting the appropriate PPE before beginning your troubleshooting and the way the you undertake your measures problems solving by following the troubleshooting steps which is ABCDE. The problem with this wonderful video was that we cant see clearly what you're reading and how your turn your nob to either; Voltage, current and ohms when digging for the neutral line that was missing in the circuit.

[@Tex_Strong]

Thanks for this video. I went to a 5 yr apprentice program and this type of stuff they don’t teach. Should be able to learn on the job but maybe you cover once than just get stuck doing wire pull or cable tray for 2 years at a data center.

[@AccessToPower]

I agree. Thanks for leaving the comments. Glad the video is helpful

[@Zapgod]

Some of our motor controllers have permissives which make it harder to troubleshoot. Especially in our galley where the control circuit is tied into fire switches, dampers, gaylord wash panels which has its own circuit, and fire pull down switches. Finding shorts is a nightmare where no indication of burns can be found, only thing you got is blown control circuit fuses. Thats why its good to learn to read electrical schematics and diagrams.

[@Rodskrrt]

That does sound like a nightmare. Honestly I feel like we are using flawed systems in the us at least some of the old ones.

[@jlreyes7424]

awesome thank you so much

[@brianberson4169]

Excellent vid

[@AccessToPower]

Thank you for your comments. I am glad you found the video helpful.

[@lalotrbeca]

very good video the only thing that I would recommend is always to use the RED in the hot and the black always to ground. when troubleshooting 24v this can cause read errors for technicians

[@brucehackney2217]

Doesn’t matter when measuring AC. I suggest a basic electrical theory class for you!! Besides if he were measuring DC it would simply put a - before the number. No big deal.

[@lalotrbeca]

my comment was for technician on control system and not for just a simple electricians

[@mrreams711]

@@lalotrbeca so let me get this right....What you are saying is that your comment was pointless?

[@isaiashernandez3818]

Your awesome videos are very helpful. How do motors designed for both wye and Delta configurations change/switch from starting wye to running Delta? Please and thank you.

[@stickelerwinner3429]

Yeah safety is first, but in my type of business we wouldn’t get anything done with all that on...thanks for the video

[@firstlast8805]

Stickeler Winner where do you work the burn treatment center?

[@walkerdrae]

That's OSHA for ya

[@johnhislopjr.7487]

Ive had to check a lot of these. I would check the overload for tripping first. Then the 480 V fuses and then the motor for grounds. I found that rarely did the control circuit had problems.

[@pitbikecrazy]

Fantastic

[@AccessToPower]

Thanks for the comment Alex!

[@angelit04u]

Great video. How you check when you lose a leg

[@bengunn3698]

@Angel----You will feel a moment of intense pain and then will fall in the direction of the missing leg.How unfortunate that with the suit of armour he as decked himself out with that it blows off his leg,can't win them all.

[@abouakrekhan3028]

Tanks

[@robpeters5204]

I knew it! I guessed the emergency or overload was tripped.

[@madfrogs3578]

Great videos, thank you! Is there any way we can see the wiring schematics? I'm sure it's basic, but I'm new, learning and curious. :)

[@AccessToPower]

Thanks for commenting madfrogs! On several of the videos we show the schematic at the same time I am going over the physical wiring. Check out this for an example of what I am talking about. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oXnFiZWBbLhkbpo. Also, the video coming out this week will also have a schematic and live wiring example of a forward reversing starter.

[@garygangster2414]

good video... as he covered all the steps. If he had checked across the NC contacts after he had checked both sides and received his control voltage then he would have known that the NC contacts were open. If it was closed he would have received 0VAC. Also I don't know what level is this but I think it would have been helpful if he explained what the "holding contacts "were and there purpose.

[@petersmith9254]

Thanks bro

[@AccessToPower]

Thanks for the comment Peter!

[@petersmith9254]

Posting some knowledge

[@anshuvash1385]

Wish i cud see the readings... amazing video

[@javiersalas7670]

I would suggest testing for a short (grounded conductor) or megging the motor first before turning the HOA to hand or pressing the start button....good video though!👍

[@mattozx6rr]

Just a word from a pump guy. The only testin you need the power on for is the legs and transformer. All the rest can be done with the power off and the meter set on ohms. Dont just meg a motor, ohm it across the windings as well. You can at least give the customer an idea of how much life is left in the motor or pump.

[@US-Warrior]

Great vid sir! Would the stop button give a voltage across the Stop button on a tripped Overload?

[@AccessToPower]

parmathwal99, the voltage across the Normally Closed Stop button would have the same potential on both terminals, so it will not register on a meter measuring between those two points. But if you measure to the neutral at the transformer, or before the tripped overload, to the Stop button you will have 120 volts. Remember that you will still have voltage at the stop button and it can still shock you but you won't see voltage on your meter if measuring from a point with the same potential.

[@US-Warrior]

@@AccessToPower its For an exam question where they ask what device will measure 120v if the OL trips in the control circuit

[@AccessToPower]

@@US-Warrior I see. Both sides the stop button will still read 120 volts when measured to ground or the neutral before the OL contacts.

[@bricemiller1988]

While it's a decent video I'd suggest a follow along ladder diagram

[@justinhosmer2500]

Did you ever receive a diagram?

[@paladin_war]

@@justinhosmer2500 nope lol

[@seans_shorts]

Thanks bud

[@chinds2069]

LIKED , SUBSCRIBED

[@suhermantjahyadi7361]

Damn ... i should have bought those shirts before doing that for years

[@sh115067]

I just had to diagnose a starter where the coil in the contacter wouldn't release. There were three disconnects with stop/start controls. On one of the disconnects, the hot of the stop button broke off and was making contact with the line side of the start button, bypassing the stop buttons

[@AccessToPower]

Nice job

[@michaelcostello6991]

great

[@ryanwhite6325]

When testing power to the hand off auto did you go to power to ground?

[@williamcarrington3087]

Good video...but I would have checked my motor leads to ground before re-energizing the circuit.

[@joshleyba3854]

I have 4 mixer motors at a WWTF. I have had to turn the yellow amp adjustment from 8 to 14 amps to keep them running with out tripping. 1 of of them however now runs for 1-3 mins then trips everytime. Pulled and megged motor. It is good. Voltage is good and consistent with other mixer motors. I have not seen Amps above 7 on anyof the motors including the one tripping. Any suggestions? Going in circles with Evoqua. Plant is 1 year old. All ran good first 6 months then developed issues after that.

[@luis_ayala_134]

Great video. Do you plan to post more videos.I hope so.

[@AccessToPower]

Yes, I hope to make more videos. Thanks

[@DiamondMinerIvins]

277 volts 554 volts. i wonder if they will cause motors to burn up and started to go out faster kinda like the 120 volt incandescent lightbulb, and most houses are at 127-130 volts.

[@railcar123]

Wondering if you could do a video on megging out a motor? Thx

[@AccessToPower]

Thank you for suggesting the video for megging a motor. I will try to do that soon.

[@cfgman9176]

Really good video...just an observation looks like it's permissible in the US to use probes with excessive metal showing ? This would be shunned in the UK although it does occur here amongst some pros.

[@AccessToPower]

Thank you for your comments. Requiring test equipment and overall electrical equipment to be finger safe is much further along in the UK and in the rest of Europe than in the US. I think there is some movement in that direction, but we are not there yet.

[@shauns6936]

😂 I never wear arc flash gear thats way over kill. But good video man keep up the videos

[@Rodskrrt]

I guess they don’t care about regulations there? Not that I care if they regulate or not but I’m guessing you do take your precautions

[@Elmaintenancetv08]

Hello sir. Does the control circuit has its own power supply? Thanks!

[@AccessToPower]

EIM - NCII Alaktrician the control circuit has a control transformer fed by the main 480 volt circuit in the panel.

[@Elmaintenancetv08]

@@AccessToPower Thank you for your answer sir! Your tutorial surely helped.

[@FRJ1982]

When you were testing the power button, where dod you have your red meter lead?

[@Baz1122]

When you check for power on the switch did you have the other rod on ground cause I just see the black one?

[@jasonclements1978]

So simple once you get it

[@timcurtin7895]

Tim I have a LC1 D12 from Telemecanique that I have isolated and I get resistance reading on the coil leads, does it mean the starter is bad?

[@AccessToPower]

You should have resistance across the coil of the starter.