How Do I Test A Small Electric Motor

To check an electric motor to see.

How do i test a small electric motor.

Minimum test value for a good electric motor is at least 1mω running amps test with the motor running check the full load amps fla with a suitable meter or preferably a clamp on meter and compare with the. Test for direct. Again the specific value is based on the motor design wires per loop number of turns per coil and wire gauge. The motor being dissected here is a simple electric motor that you would typically find in a toy.

Each winding leg should have some small resistance reading. If it stays shorted or does not rise there is probably an issue with the capacitor and may need to be replaced. Placing the test probes on the capacitor terminals the resistance should start low and gradually increase as the small voltage supplied by the meter s battery gradually charges the capacitor. Consult the motor schematic or a diagram of the motor s windings and use the meter to measure the resistance of the windings.

Knowledge of the basics together with powerful new test equipment vastly simplifies the job. Check c to e s to e r to e. Small fan motors last a long time due to few moving parts. Electric motors have had a reputation for being a mix of science and magic.

So when a motor fails to operate it may not be obvious what the problem is. Most electric motors whether ac or dc fail after time for reasons that may not be electrical in nature. The meter should not show an open or a short when a winding leg is measured. From the outside you can see the steel can that forms the body of the motor an axle a nylon end cap and two battery leads.

The second check is the bar to bar resistance test pictured on right. Small electric motors operate a wide variety of electrical devices such as remote control models children s railroad sets and computers. This will check every coil in the motor armature. You can see that this is a small motor about as big around as a dime.

If you hook the battery leads of the motor up to a. Identify the type of motor and examine its nameplate information. In the ohmmeter mode connect the meter to the plug and monitor the resistance as you wiggle the cord where it enters the enclosure. Small universal motors as for portable electric drills may contain extensive circuitry including a switch and brushes.

Testing electric motors doesn t have to be a mystery. As with the first test the important thing to observe is that each measurement should be about the same.