Electric motors are key transmission equipment in the manufacturing processes of many companies and enterprises. However, damage to motor bearing seats is a common occurrence during production. Damage to the bearing seat can cause the motor bearing to run on the inner or outer ring, which in turn leads to the motor rotor rubbing against the stator. Therefore, if damage to the motor bearing seat occurs, it should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the problem from escalating. How should one diagnose this typical issue? Let us take a look below.

1. Check whether the motor bearings rotate smoothly or produce unusual noises. In the event of damage or insufficient lubrication, a rumbling sound or irregular clicking may be heard – in any case, these are unpleasant noises. During normal operation, the sound should be uniform, consisting of a faint whirring noise. If the bearings are damaged, the equipment will typically vibrate; in more severe cases, you can feel the vibration simply by standing near the machine.

2. If the damage is severe, it can cause significant friction, leading to high temperatures and the emission of an unusual odour. At the same time, the motor will often experience ‘sweeping’—where the rotor brushes against the stator. Once this occurs, the current increases and the motor heats up; in particularly severe cases, a foul, distinctive odour of burnt insulation may be detected. At this stage, the problem is quite serious, and the motor should be taken out of service immediately for repair.

3. Use a handheld temperature gauge to measure the temperature around the motor bearing housing to check whether it is excessively high.

After a period of operation, certain natural factors can cause the clearance in areas such as the motor bearing housing to increase, leading to damage. Whenever damage is detected, the condition of the motor bearings must be assessed to determine whether they are still serviceable. If the wear is not severe, simply cleaning the bearings and reapplying grease will suffice. If the wear is severe, it is recommended to replace the motor bearings immediately. Once the new bearings have been refitted, the repair is complete.