Jeff Jowett, Megger senior applications engineer, said a basic electric motor test kit includes an insulation resistance meter with a thermocouple or infrared thermometer for temperature, voltmeter with supply phase direction of rotation, low-resistance meter, motor direction of rotation meter, inductance and capacitance meter, and a complete set of test leads to perform each test. "First, distinguish whether the problem is electrical using an insulation tester or mechanical [bearing check with vibration analysis]," Jowett said. "Then proceed step by step in the indicated direction to eliminate potential failures until the correct one is found. If the problem is electrical, testing usually consists of insulation resistance [megohm] tests and a low-resistance test. These tests are essential in determining the health of a motor."
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