TECO- Westinghouse is a leading manufacturer of electric motors, generators, soft starters, drives, and other industrial power solutions.
Control Concepts services all TECO-Westinghouse drives and soft starters! Contact us today.
About TECO Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric was founded in 1866 by George Westinghouse, a pioneer of the electrical industry. In 1988, the company established a joint venture with Taiwanese company TECO Electric and Machinery, which was later renamed TECO-Westinghouse. Today, TECO-Westinghouse Drives are now known for their reliability and energy efficiency.
What is an AC Drive?
An AC variable speed drive is used to control the speed of an electric motor by changing the frequency of the electrical supply. The motors that AC Drives control usually operate at a constant speed, so changing and controlling the speed increases process control and energy efficiency.
What is a soft starter?
A motor soft starter is a device used to control the voltage supply to a motor during the start-up phase. It reduces the strain put on a motor and allows for a smooth acceleration of power. This helps to reduce the risk of damaging the motor and improves overall efficiency.
Common Drive Failures
- Software or programming problems
- Non-functional cooling fans
- Loose connections
- Drive keeps blowing fuses or tripping breakers
- Drive doesn’t run motor
- Circuit board failure
Circuit board failure is the least common reason for drive failures. The most common fault that shuts down a drive is an over-current fault, of which there are 20-30 causes. We start with the dynamics of the motor and move on from there.
The Control Concepts Repair Process
We check the motor drive and terminals for substandard connections which can be caused by anything from heat cycles and mechanical vibration to reusing or over-tightening torque screws.
We conduct diode and IGBT tests on the input/output power sections before applying power to the drive unit. This is to protect against further damage from a short.
We power up the unit and perform amp readings and output frequency tests, slowly increasing the voltage until the rated input voltage of the drive is reached.
If everything functions properly, we use the drive to run a motor through basic jog functions after backing up existing programs. If the motor does not run, we check the output voltages and current ratings going to the motor to check drive function for motor rotation.
Most drive failures can be avoided through preventative maintenance.
- Keep the drive free of dust
- Ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating
- Keep everything dry and protected from moisture
Call us for more information or to schedule service.
