Root Cause Methodology for Induction Motors: A Step-by-Step Guide to Examining Failure

Over the course of my 40-year career in the motor industry, I have been involved in an extensive taxonomic study and ongoing research into squirrel cage induction motor failure analysis. This topic is particularly relevant now as the petrochemical industry is moving toward reliability-based maintenance and has begun to require increased attention to prevent repeated failures. This article is intended to abridge and update numerous previously published articles on the subject and present a root cause failure methodology that will assist in the petrochemical industry's transition. The scope of the project includes squirrel cage induction motors up to 3,000 hp; however, much of this methodology includes applications to larger sizes and types.