Motor Current Signature Analysis
SEMAPI’s dynamic electric motor test and monitoring
instruments are built to conduct condition monitoring tests of motors from a Motor Control Center (MCC). The “Test I go” is the latest generation of battery-operated testers that will check the health of rotating electrical machines while they are in operation.

The Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA)
“Test I go” performs functions for predictive maintenance
programs. It identifies possible power circuit problems that degrade motor health,  examines overall motor power conditions, monitors the load and observes motor performance plus estimating energy savings. It is programmed to supply information on:

1. Three phase voltage levels
2. Voltage balance
3. Harmonic distortion
4. Rotor cage condition
5. Motor efficiency
6. Effective service factor
7. Over-current
8. Power factor correction
9. Torque
10. Load

Once testing is complete (ex.: 30 seconds), you can save and store results for each individual electric
motor. This type of documentation is critical for any predictive maintenance program. It allows the
recalling of previous information for trending over time. With the “Test I go”, collect, store, recall and
manage test results using common database file formats. You can generate reports quickly, allowing
operators visual confirmation of motor integrity. Results are immediate allowing the operator to
determine the true cost of wasted energy.

Maintenance professionals need to minimize costs associated with unexpected motor failures and
production downtime. This is the only tool in the world capable of performing, also, a sophisticated, full 6
Channels Mechanical Vibration Analysis. This avoids having to purchase two testers to perform Predictive
Maintenance for Industries with small number of motors, or, allows to buy a single platform unit to
integrate both mechanical and electrical analysis, for large industrial facilities with lots of electric motors.

The “Test I go” is a motor monitoring and troubleshooting tool that helps maintenance personnel to
minimize failures and maximize the up-time of machine systems that drive their businesses.

The “Test I go” is not a motor insulation tester. Instead, it uses advanced software algorithms to monitor
and assess conditions across a motor/machine system that impact the health and performance of the
motor within the system. It evaluates the quality of power fed to a motor, assess motor performance
indicators, and tracks the amount and condition of load placed on the motor.

Maintenance techs will often argue over the origin or causes of a given motor problem. The mechanical
techs will say the problem is Electrical, and the electrical techs will argue it’s mechanical. This tool will
identify true root causes where they are.

The “Test I go” is an effective troubleshooting tool, and clearly detects when a problem is either electrical
or mechanical. It is also a powerful predictive maintenance tool that tracks multiple data types to identify
trends that indicate potential problems.

Power quality:
If the power being fed to a motor/machine system has any distortion, imbalances or improper levels for
the motor, it can create problems that shorten the motor’s service life. The “Test I go” identifies power
quality problems that can unnecessarily stress a motor.

The instrument monitors power, voltage and current levels/imbalances, as well as harmonic distortion.

These can identify the following problems, for example:
Improper tap settings on supply transformers
Poorly-distributed single-phase loads
An excessive number of VFDs without proper filtration
Excessive non-harmonic frequencies on a given VFD
Improper filters
Wrong Star-Delta timing transitions
Cavitation in pumps
Overload
Missing or open power-factor correction capacitors
High-resistance connections
It is also very useful to provide written confirmation of existing problems that often professionals know they
have and require further proof to be able to take corrective action.