Root cause failure analysis for AC Induction Motors in the petroleum and chemical industry

This paper is an abridgement and update of numerous IEEE papers dealing with Squirrel Cage Induction Motor failure analysis. They are the result of a taxonomic study and research conducted by the author during a 40 year career in the motor industry. As the Petrochemical Industry is revolving to reliability based maintenance, increased attention should be given to preventing repeated failures. The Root Cause Failure methodology presented in this paper will assist in this transition. The scope of the product includes Squirrel Cage Induction Motors up to 3000 hp, however, much of this methodology has application to larger sizes and types.