How to Rebuild a GE AC Traction Motor
Traction motors are electric motors that are usually used to power vehicles. They were first used to power locomotives, and some of the largest traction motors are still used to power rail vehicles. Initially, these were DC engines, but after the invention of semiconductors, it became easy to build more powerful AC motors. General Electric is one of the major manufacturers of traction motors. It is usually economically more feasible to rebuild these motors periodically than it is to replace old engines with new ones.
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Things You'll Need
- Bearings for the GE AC motor you are rebuilding
- Brushes for the GE AC motor you are rebuilding
- Gaskets for the GE AC motor you are rebuilding
- Seals for the GE AC motor you are rebuilding
Instructions
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1
Disassemble the motor. Clean all the parts. Inspect all the metal parts for damage -- if the damage is sufficient to cause a future problem, the part must be replaced.
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2
Perform electrical tests on the armature and the field coils. Check for shorts to the frame, and check to ensure that the resistance of both the armature and field coils match the resistance in the GE specifications. Look at the enameled wire to make sure that the enameled wire is not scratched. If you find a scratch, cover it with an insulating solution.
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3
Recoat the armature and field coils. GE calls this process VPI. It means coating the coil with silicone to seal out dirt and protect against nicks in the enameled wire.
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4
Balance the armature to make sure that it rotates without wobbling or oscillations. Perform the same electrical tests of shorts and resistance again. Sometimes the VPI process can damage the coils.
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5
Replace the bearings with new bearings. Replace the brushes, and inspect the brush holders to see if they need replacing. Replace all seals and gaskets.
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6
Run the reassembled motor under no load conditions. Look for vibrations or unusual noises. Check again under load conditions. Paint the motor.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you have the replacement parts on hand before you start rebuilding the motors, especially the bearings, brushes, seals and gaskets that you know will need replacing. You do not want to leave the motor disassembled while a part is ordered, and you do not want to assemble and disassemble the machine unnecessarily.
Both tests -- no-load and then under load -- are necessary. Some problems will show up under no load that would damage the motor if it were tested under load. The load test is necessary to make sure it is delivering full power. If you damage the windings during rebuilding, it can reduce the power. You want to fix all the problems before the motor is returned to the customer.
