In an age where mechanical and electrical components are more intricate, the desire to make things smaller and more reliable continues to increase. Parts such as the AC squirrel cage rotor have often been viewed as not repairable, or not economically viable to repair.

This may not always be the case as it depends on the type of fault that has occurred, as well as the expertise of the repair company that you choose.

In this article, we will attempt to break down the composition as well as the use of the rotor. Then we will give advice on how to maintain this piece, in order to keep it functioning longer. Lastly, we will give suggestions as to what you should do if your rotor needs to be repaired or replaced.

To begin with, let’s take a look at the manufacturing of the part:

The Squirrel Cage Rotor

This component is the rotating part of the squirrel cage. The mechanical makeup is a steel cylinder with copper or aluminum conductors around its surface. A power source is also attached which makes the current rotate in the device, due to the magnetic field that is generated.

What is it Used For?

This part can be used extensively in the automotive and electrical engineering industries, particularly with the mass advancement in electrical and robotic technology. As the use of these parts is now commonplace, we need the reassurance that they can be repaired, in order to base industries and manufacturing lines on its use.

Maintenance Tips

It is important to understand that not all squirrel cage motors are created in the same way. Different manufacturers will have different recommendations when it comes to maintaining your part. Therefore, it is imperative that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Additionally, your rotor should have a quarterly inspection which will cover things such as:

• The operating temperature – This is where the temperature of the motor is checked. High temperatures may indicate an issue with the installation or a general mechanical issue.

• Vibration analysis – This is checked by looking at whether there is any excessive vibration as this may indicate an electrical fault with the component.

• Ammeter testing – This is a procedure that checks if currents are correctly balanced.

• Visual inspection – This is a basic inspection where the part is simply inspected visually for dirt and/or grease build up.

Overall, these inspections will help reduce downtime and prolong the life of your component.

Repair

As mentioned above, repairing these parts is no easy task. The job of these repairs is very labor intensive as the die-cast parts are usually removed by a chemical process and the fabricated bars need to be removed manually.

A company’s expertise will often determine how straightforward this process will be. However, we have been successful at repairing these electrical rotors since 1974 and we strongly believe that there are no rotors that cannot be repaired.

If you suspect you have a fault on your AC squirrel cage rotor, we invite you to contact us today. We would be happy to assist you with your problems.