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Hey guys I am not an electrician but I repair bandsaws and often troubleshoot electrical motors and such. I would like an opinion on a recent problem I had.
The saw has a 10hp 460v 3ph AC motor with a Leeson motor controller on it. The operator reported the motor would only run for a minute then the entire saw would shut down hydraulics included. They called me and I started looking things over. I realized the motor controller was registering an error code of PF when the saw shut down then would reset itself and the saw could be restarted. I called leeson and found out PF means an overload. So I took the blade off the saw and ran the motor. Same Problem. I then decided I might have a gearbox issue and noticed it was leaking so I took the belt of the motor and ran it with no load. Same problem controller tripped again. I figured the motor must be bad so I removed it and took it in for a bench test. The shop tells me the motor is OK so I go back to the customer and try the controller without the motor thinking maybe the controller is NFG. It seems to be fine. I checked the line reactor and no short or problem there. I then decide to reinstall the motor in the saw and when I hook it up it runs fine. We end up reinstalling the belt and blade and do some cutting and everything appers ok.
I am now wondering if maybe I had a loose motor connection that caused this all along. Any input from someone with some experience in this would be appreciated.
The saw has a 10hp 460v 3ph AC motor with a Leeson motor controller on it. The operator reported the motor would only run for a minute then the entire saw would shut down hydraulics included. They called me and I started looking things over. I realized the motor controller was registering an error code of PF when the saw shut down then would reset itself and the saw could be restarted. I called leeson and found out PF means an overload. So I took the blade off the saw and ran the motor. Same Problem. I then decided I might have a gearbox issue and noticed it was leaking so I took the belt of the motor and ran it with no load. Same problem controller tripped again. I figured the motor must be bad so I removed it and took it in for a bench test. The shop tells me the motor is OK so I go back to the customer and try the controller without the motor thinking maybe the controller is NFG. It seems to be fine. I checked the line reactor and no short or problem there. I then decide to reinstall the motor in the saw and when I hook it up it runs fine. We end up reinstalling the belt and blade and do some cutting and everything appers ok.
I am now wondering if maybe I had a loose motor connection that caused this all along. Any input from someone with some experience in this would be appreciated.
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