How To Test A Small Dc Electric Motor

Small electric motors operate a wide variety of electrical devices such as remote control models children s railroad sets and computers.

How to test a small dc electric motor.

This will check every coil in the motor armature. Each winding leg should have some small resistance reading. The type of motor will determine the types of tests you will perform to troubleshoot it. If it stays shorted or does not rise there is probably an issue with the capacitor and may need to be replaced.

As with the first test the important thing to observe is that each measurement should be about the same. Again the specific value is based on the motor design wires per loop number of turns per coil and wire gauge. The meter should not show an open or a short when a winding leg is measured. These days direct current or dc electric motors are used in a wide range of applications such as the moving windows and seats in your car.

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. Set the voltage setting of the insulation resistance tester to 500v and check motor windings to earth. Identify the type of motor and examine its nameplate information.

Check c to e s to e r to e. Consult the motor schematic or a diagram of the motor s windings and use the meter to measure the resistance of the windings. The second check is the bar to bar resistance test pictured on right. They generally operate on low voltage electricity 6 to 24 volts and are powered by batteries or a transformer that reduces 110 volts to the required low voltage.

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 fan motors last a long time due to few moving parts. Dc or direct current motors are the most efficient electrical motors on the market today. Because of the concealed nature of these motors it can be highly difficult to complete any repairs or maintenance on them without having to pull whatever it is powering apart.

Most electric motors whether ac or dc fail after time for reasons that may not be electrical in nature. To check an electric motor to see. Small universal motors as for portable electric drills may contain extensive circuitry including a switch and brushes. There are two major components of an electrical motor called the stator and the rotor.