A Review of Cleaning Methods for Motor Windings

Stator winding contamination by oil, dust, and a host of other materials that may be present in a cement plant can lead to its failure from accelerated thermal aging and electrical tracking between phases, or to ground. Also the reduction on winding cooling that results from contamination will increase motor l²R losses to reduce motor efficiency. This paper discusses the effectiveness of winding cleaning methods for removing debris from stator windings and cores which include steam cleaning, dry ice blasting and scrubbing with solvents. But, of course, preventing contamination in the first place remains the most effective cure.