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How Do You Repair Motor Belt Drives?

Oct. 11, 2016
Fixing a bad motor belt drive

A hot process area inside the plant has a pair of exhaust fans for removing waste heat. Occasionally, a fan fails and soon operators are uncomfortable.

Earlier today, a fan began squeaking. The maintenance supervisor assigned Bob, a maintenance electrician, to “fix that squeak before that fan motor burns up.” Before heading to the roof, Bob grabbed a grease gun and a can of silicone spray.

Bob observed the belt and thought it too wobbly. He opened the local disconnect. He used his half-inch drive breaker bar to tighten the belt as much as possible, greased the motor, sprayed the belt, and closed the disconnect. No more squeaking!

Did Bob do a good job?

• Why did he grease the motor? Was this grease compatible with what is already in the motor?

• Bob did not measure the belt tension to ensure it was within the recommended inches of deflection or ounces of force. He just got it as tight as possible. His work will shorten the life of the belt, the load pulley bearings, and the motor bearings.

• Did he use the recommended belt dressing? Silicone spray isn’t always correct.

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