Root cause analysis of motor stator failures

The stator of a motor is a static component that is supplied with electrical energy from a power system to generate an electromagnetic field that allows its dynamic counterpart, the rotor, to rotate, creating mechanical energy. When a stator fails, it is largely due to the degradation or aging of its insulation through external occurrences and materials being introduced into its system. This paper discusses a process by which the root cause of a stator failure may be determined. It will also cover several of the most common failure modes seen in the industry today.