thermalprotectorinfo

[thermalprotectorinfo]

Why is it vital to have Motor protection?

It is critical that the motor be equipped with some form of protective device in order to avoid unexpected breakdowns, costly repairs, and eventual losses due to motor downtime. The purpose of this article is to discuss built-in motor protection with thermal overload prevention in order to prevent motor damage and breakdown.

Understanding an Electric Motor's "Thermal Protection"

When you see the terms "thermal protection" or "thermally protected" in the description of an electric motor, it refers to a device built into the motor or motor compressor to prevent dangerous overheating that can lead to motor failure.

What Does a Thermal Protector Do?

When the motor is overloaded, a bearing seizes, something locks the motor shaft and prevents it from turning, or the motor just fails to start properly, the motor will overheat. Faulty start windings in the motor can cause the motor to fail to start.

One or more heat-sensing components incorporated inside the motor or motor-compressor, as well as an external control device, make up the thermal protector. When the motor circuitry generates too much heat, the thermal protection kicks in and turns the motor off. This safety function prevents the motor from overheating by halting the temperature rise.

Once the motor cools down to a safe operating temperature, thermal protection usually reset themselves. On the wire side of the motor, there is generally a visible red button—usually, but not always, opposite the motor shaft. To reset and restart the motor on this type of motor, you must press this button. The reset happens automatically as the motor cools on other motors without a reset button.

It's uncomfortable to have a motor shut down because it tripped a thermal limit device, but it's far better than having to replace a motor because it overheats. Furthermore, the shut-down can notify you of issues with the motor or linked equipment, as well as the load attached to the motor. When a motor fails to start or overheats during operation, it could mean that it has reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. However, the problem is frequently not with the motor. For example, there could be a blockage on the load attached to the motor, resulting in an excessive load that causes the motor to overheat.

Motors with Thermal Protectors (Examples)

A sump pump is a motor that frequently encounters this problem. When a sump pump pushes debris-filled water, debris can become lodged in the impeller and lock the pump motor's spin, causing it to overheat quickly. The device will trip and cut down the electrical feed to the motor windings on a pump with heat protection. This will allow the motor to cool down, maybe saving it from total failure. You may be able to clean the impeller and keep your sump pump motor running for a long time before it needs to be replaced if you are alerted to the problem by the motor shutting down.

What Is the Function of the Motor Windings?

Motor windings are the wires that transmit the electrical current in a motor. The windings are wound into coils and wrapped around an iron magnetic core, which generates magnetic poles when energized by current.

Other electric motors that process changeable loads, such as garbage disposals, washing machines, or vacuum cleaners, may experience the same problem. Motors with no heat protection are more likely to burn out.

When purchasing equipment with electrical motors, thermal protection is an important feature to check for. It can substantially increase the life of the motor by keeping it from overheating. Read more information about Saftty thermal protector.