Electric Motors

Duration: 0.25 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

Large alternating current motors are vital to modern life and industry. While motors are relatively simple devices, they can be installed or operated incorrectly or develop operational problems. For protection of the motor and for safety reasons, electrical motors require protective devices on their power supply systems. Circuit breakers and fuses are used to provide protection from very high-current short circuits and ground faults. Overload devices are used to protect from longer period, moderate overcurrent events. This module will focus primarily on the role and function of the overload protection devices.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the purpose of fuses and circuit breakers
• Differentiate between a short circuit fault and an overload
• Explain the principles of operation behind thermal overload devices
• List some causes for motor overload
• Explain the principle of operation behind magnetic overload devices
• Explain the principle of operation behind electronic overload devices
• Describe the NEMA trip class numbering system

Duration: 0.25 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English, Portuguese
Capability: Audio, Video

DC, or direct current is the electricity that flows in a single direction within a circuit or motor. AC, or alternating current, is the electricity that flows back and forth. The main components of an AC induction motor are the rotor and the stator. The motor converts electrical energy to mechanical energy when the rotor is pulled by the fluctuating magnetic field in the stator. This course will discuss single-phase and three-phase motor construction and operation.

Learning Objectives

• Describe alternating and direct current (AC and DC)
• Describe single and three-phase power
• Describe single-phase motor construction and operation
• List and define the different types of single-phase motors
• Describe three-phase motor construction and operation
• Describe the differences between single-phase and three-phase motors

Duration: 0.78 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video, MobileReady

There are multiple types of electric motors. The brushed DC motor is one of the most traditionally important types of motor. This module describes the purpose of the components that make up a DC motor, some troubleshooting techniques, inspection and cleaning procedures, and how to disassemble and reassemble a typical motor.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain what causes a DC motor to rotate
• List the basics components of a brushed DC motor
• Explain the role of brushes in a DC motor
• Describe how to test for an open circuit in a DC motor
• List the major steps for disassembling a DC motor
• Describe common inspections of a disassembled DC motor

Duration: 0.25 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English, Portuguese
Capability: Audio, Video

A DC motor is an electrical device powered by direct current, or DC. DC is a type of electrical current that flows in one direction only, from sources such as batteries or solar panels. DC may also be produced through the use of a rectifier, which is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC) to DC. Although motor designs may vary, all DC motors perform the same basic function. They convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to spin, lift, wind, or move objects.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the fundamental principles of DC motor operation
• Identify and describe common DC motor components
• Explain the concepts of torque, speed, and power

Duration: 0.25 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

DC motors are electrical motors powered by direct current, or DC. DC is a type of electrical current that flows in one direction only, from sources such as batteries or solar panels. DC may also be produced through the use of a rectifier, which is an electrical device which converts alternating current (AC) to DC. This module will describe the design, operation, and applications of series, shunt, compound, permanent magnet, and separately excited motors.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the design of series, shunt, compound, permanent magnet, and separately excited motors
• Describe the operation of series, shunt, compound, permanent magnet, and separately excited motors
• Describe the applications of series, shunt, compound, permanent magnet, and separately excited motors
• Describe how motor direction reversal is accomplished
• Identify some advantages and disadvantages of DC motors

Duration: 0.50 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English, Polish
Capability: Audio, Video

Electric motors are key components of many consumer products and industrial processes, from kitchen mixers to pump motors generating thousands of horsepower. This course describes the operation and common uses for AC motors, DC motors, servomotors, and linear motors.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the purpose and operation of an alternating current induction motor
• Describe the purpose and operation of a direct current motor
• Describe the purpose and operation of a servomotor
• Describe the purpose and operation of a linear motor

Duration: 0.50 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English, Portuguese, Polish, Russian
Capability: Audio, Video

A small motor can be started by simply plugging it into an electrical receptacle or by using a switch or circuit breaker. A large motor requires a specialized switching unit called a motor starter or motor contactor. Once they are running, there are many other aspects to safe and efficient motor operation. Motor control refers to manual or automatic methods for starting, stopping, controlling speed, reversing, and protecting a motor. These controls are achieved using a variety of circuits, connections and sensors.

Learning Objectives

• Explain how circuits help control starting, stopping, reversing, speed control, motor protection, and safety
• Identify and describe common circuit types (start/stop, jogging, interlocking, multiple station, and sequencing)
• Differentiate between 2 and 3 wire start/stop circuits
• Differentiate between Permissive and Restrictive interlocks

Duration: 0.25 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

When a relay is used to switch a large amount of electrical power through its contacts, it is designated by a special name: contactor or starter. This course covers contactors, incoming and auxiliary contacts, overload heaters, starter construction, starter operation, using heater elements in troubleshooting, and typical starter configurations.

Duration: 1.00 Hr

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

Electric motors provide the mechanical energy that is needed to operate a wide variety of equipment in an industrial facility. To make sure that the motors in their plant are operating properly, operators should be familiar with the fundamentals of motor operation and the basic operating characteristics of AC motors. In this course, the trainee will learn about the basic operation of an AC motor as well as its parts and functions.

Learning Objectives

• Principles of Operation
• Describe a motor action in an AC motor and AC Motor Parts
• List the major parts of a typical AC motor.
• List the two types of three-phase AC induction motors and Speed Control
• Discuss how the speed of a typical AC motor is controlled.

Duration: 2.00 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

This course is designed to familiarize participants with the operation and use of various types of electric motors. After completing this course, participants should be able to describe the basic construction and operation of direct current (DC) motors, alternating current (AC) induction motors, and AC synchronous motors. They should also be able to explain how motor speed can be controlled and how motors and motor circuits can be protected from damage, and they should be able to interpret the information on a motor nameplate.

Learning Objectives

• Describe how DC motors operate.
• Identify the component parts of series, shunt, and compound DC motors.
• Identify typical applications of DC series, shunt, and compound motors.
• Describe the basic construction and components of a three-phase squirrel cage induction motor.
• Explain the relationship between speed and frequency in an induction motor.
• Describe how torque is developed in an induction motor.
• Explain how and why torque varies with rotor reactance and slip.
• Define the following terms: “percent slip” and “speed regulation.”
• Explain how the direction of a three-phase induction motor is reversed.
• Describe the component parts and operating characteristics of a three-phase, wound rotor induction motor.
• Describe the component parts and operating characteristics of a three-phase synchronous motor.
• Describe the operation of a variety of single-phase AC motors.
• Identify the component parts of single-phase AC motors.
• Recognize and interpret wiring diagrams for single-phase AC motors.
• Identify specific applications where single-phase motors may be used.
• Explain the relationship between speed and the number of poles in an induction motor.
• Describe the operation of multiple-winding AC motors.
• Describe the operation of consequent-pole AC motors.
• Describe the operation of a variable speed AC drive.
• Identify common types of open motors.
• Identify common types of totally enclosed motors.
• Describe types of motor enclosures using a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) table.
• Identify the frame designation number on a machine nameplate.
• Interpret the “D” and “2F” dimensions on the nameplate of a medium machine.
• Read dimension sheets for foot-mounted machines.
• Interpret the information on a motor nameplate.
• Consult a nameplate when replacing or installing a motor.
• Match a motor to an application by reading the nameplate.
• Select fuses for motor control applications.
• Determine how many overloads should be used in a motor control circuit.

Duration: 2.00 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

This course is designed to familiarize participants with basic concepts associated with the operation of electric motors. After completing this course, participants should be able to explain the basic principles of motor operation and describe the basic operation of a simple alternating current (AC) motor and a simple direct current (DC) motor. They should also be able to identify the parts of a typical AC motor and a typical DC motor, and describe the function of each part.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the purpose of a motor.
• Explain what is meant by motor action.
• Explain the basic principles of motor operation.
• Define the following terms: “alternating current,” “rotor,” and “stator.”
• Describe how a simple AC motor operates.
• Describe how a simple DC motor operates.
• Identify the parts of a typical AC motor and describe the function of each part.
• Identify the parts of a typical DC motor and describe the function of each part.

Duration: 2.00 Hrs

Course Level: Intermediate
Languages: English
Capability: Audio, Video

This course is designed to familiarize participants with basic concepts associated with what motor controllers do and how they do it. Typical steps for starting up, checking, and shutting down motors are also covered. After completing this course, participants should be able to explain how motor controllers control and protect motors. They should also be able to describe how to start up a motor, perform operating checks on a motor, and shut down a motor.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the purpose of a motor controller.
• Describe the features of a typical AC motor controller contactor.
• Describe how a motor controller can protect a motor.
• Using an electrical diagram, identify the parts of a typical AC motor controller and describe the function of each part.
• State the purpose of overload devices.
• Explain the difference between thermal and magnetic overload devices.
• Identify the parts of typical overload devices and describe their operation.
• List typical steps for starting up a motor.
• Describe normal operating checks associated with motor operation.
• List typical steps for shutting down a motor.