Page 12 - Perma - Catalog

perma Lubrication Systems for
Electric Motors

Electric Motors are used for a variety of applications where they convert  Mining
electricity into motion. Efficient lubrication and maintenance practices  Power plants
are essential for the reliability of Electric Motors.  Food industry
Many motors are located in hard-to-reach or dangerous areas and are  Recycling industry
not lubricated according to manufacturer specifications. Overgreasing  Quarrying industry
and lubricant starvation are the major causes for bearing damage and  Cement plants
electric motor failures.

Lubrication points

Labyrinth seal Lubrication points are located on the drive and non-drive end of the motor.
(depending on motor type) Grease escape (grease drain hole, grease trap, grease relief port) is important.
Drive side Non-drive side Bearings will overheat if grease cannot escape or if grease traps are filled up
with old grease.

The right lubricant
Motors with re-lubrication fittings have plates specifying grease amounts and
re-lubrication intervals.

Challenges

During manual lubrication, the grease is applied in uneven amounts. Too much
lubricant at one time causes temporary overgreasing. Long re-lubrication
intervals lead to lubricant starvation.

 Excess grease takes hours to be distributed in the bearing:
Bearing heating / fire hazard; Shut-off by temperature control
 Bearing damage from lubricant starvation results in unscheduled
equipment downtimes and higher production costs
 Increased maintenance costs caused by premature wear

Re-lubrication on running motors (recommended by motor manufacturers) puts
workers in danger. Maintenance work in dangerous and hard-to-reach places
increases the risk for workplace accidents.

 High risk of work-related injuries
 Motor shut-down required when entering dangerous areas

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