by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Jan 23, 2021 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
In Part of this series (Jan. 16, 2020, link below), we discussed a few basics of supervised machine-learning (ML) systems, including typical steps to the development of an ML solution. In this second installment, we take a brief look at the types of algorithms used in...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Jan 16, 2021 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
We’ve heard the terms “Machine Learning (ML)” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI)” a lot over the past few years. Even the term “Neural Networks” has entered into the marketing language of the moment. The concepts behind these terms...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Jan 9, 2021 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
In this article, we use Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) to evaluate a drive-end bearing in a 1210 rpm, 1.5 MW, 690 Vac wind-turbine generator. The problematic 6330M bearing was found during routine analysis of a wind-power site. One of the challenges of projecting...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Jan 3, 2021 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
In some cases, a significantly greater set of data is required to make improvements to a troubled system. When using individual technologies, most technicians are looking for single problems that relate specifically to the selected technology. Consequently, they will...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Dec 20, 2020 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
A loose base is a common electric-motor consideration in new applications and following the aging of a motor-system application. In this case study we explore the use of Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) and motion amplification to discover the issue and confirm the...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Dec 5, 2020 | RAM Tools & Methods
A number of products have come out of the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) Department of Commerce project on Manufacturing Machinery Maintenance. Among them is a set of software tools that provide the ability to benchmark. For this article we’ll...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Nov 29, 2020 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
Fans, pumps, and compressors represent 60% of motor-driven equipment. A majority of the fans and a small number of pumps and compressors are belt-driven applications. While seemingly simple, belt applications are notoriously complex, involving belt tensioning,...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Nov 22, 2020 | RAM Tools & Methods
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, nist.gov) was formed in 1901, and is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. While most are only aware of their test instruments and device calibration being traceable to NIST, the Institute is actually a...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Nov 13, 2020 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
In Part I of this series (Nov. 9, 2020, see link at end of this article), we identified the impact of the severity of air-gap changes on the Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) test results. In the following case study, we will review a pump application on a...
by Howard Penrose, Ph.D., CMRP | Nov 8, 2020 | Electrical Reliability, Motors & Drives
Rotor defects are the most strenuously investigated areas related to Current and Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA). Air-gap eccentricities are the second. What’s interesting is that the rotor-defect issues are one of the least-expected causes of failure for a...
