Lumber Dry Kiln Duty Motor Repair
Lumber Dry Kiln Motor Repair Shop
As an electric motor repair shop that has been in operation since 1946 and which also specializes in the manufacturing of high temperature kiln motors, EBI became a reference in the industry for the repair of such electric motors. Since EBI's primary customers come from the sawmill industry, we developped knowledge and repair methods that answer the needs of the lumber industry that uses high temperature motors in lumber kilns. Thanks to our expertise in repairing kiln motors from our very beginnings, we were eventually able to manufacture ourselves our own brand of kiln motors: the EBI Dry Kiln Duty Motors.
1 year of Warranty on High Temperature Kiln Motor Repairs
Thanks to our long term collaboration with the sawmill industry and thanks to our expertise in kiln motor repair, EBI offers one year of warranty on each repaired kiln motor. Each of our kiln motor repair activity is strictly quality controlled according to our ISO 9001:2015 certification. EBI is also a long-term member of EASA (Electrical Apparatus Service Association), an association of collaborators who ensure that we stay up to date with the latest kiln motor repair practices with the most top notch repair equipment. At EBI, our kiln motor repair procedures are followed according to the highest recommended quality standards of EASA. EBI is also a member of the EASA Quebec Chapter to make sure that we are aware of local needs and regulations in the field of lumber kiln motor repair.
Inspection of Kiln Motor and Diagnosis
Once the end bells of the kiln motor are removed, a visual inspection allows us to assess the quality of the winding at a glance. We are then able to see if the winding is burned or if the lubrication of the bearings was done according to the manufacturer's recommendations. In some cases the winding of the kiln motor could be tested with a Hipot test in order to see if there are ground faults, open circuits, short circuits or inadequate electrical connections.
The Three Most Common Causes of Dry Kiln Motor Failures
Some of the causes of lumber kiln motor failures are more common than others. We simply have to learn about them in order to maximise the lifespan of high temperature kiln motors.
Cause of Kiln Motor Failure 1: Inadequate Kiln Motor Stator Frame Leading to Winding Contamination
It is important to choose an electric motor specially designed for the ventilation process in lumber drying. Some electric motors with an ODP frame (Open Drip Proof) are sometimes used in a lumber dry kiln to control a kiln fan. That type of frame has openings through which we can directly see the winding of the motor and its insulation components. The use of such type of motor is not recommended in a dry kiln since moisture (water droplets), acidic air, dust and sawdust particules and high heat will directly affect the winding of the kiln motor and eventually lead to short circuits.
Choose a TEAO Kiln Motor Frame
As highlighed by The Snell Group that specializes in the evaluation of electric motors,
"Open Drip Proof (ODP) motors are usually much cheaper than TEAO motors, but are highly susceptible to whatever contaminants are present in the ambient environment. Anything and everything in the air surrounding the motor is pulled through and around the interior of the motor. When we add some humidity to the mix it means a hot motor in the process of cooling off is not only pulling in air, it’s pulling in moisture too. This condensation coupled with dust and particulate from the manufacturing process attaches to the insulation. This in turn can make the motor run hotter than it should. [. . .] To put it bluntly, installing an ODP motor outside, or inside in a moderately dirty environment is a substantial waste of money. [. . .] These motors last a fraction of the time that a TEAO motor does." (The Snell Group : The Importance of Motor Enclosure Type)
Because of the presence of humidity, the acidity released by lumber in the process of drying, sawdust, intense heat, condensation effect and all the other pollutants transported in the air of a lumber dry kiln, it is recommended to use a TEAO type of motor to propel the fans in a lumber kiln. As shown by the following images, the ambient environment of a lumber dry kiln contains many contaminants and one must ensure that the frame of kiln motors (the stator) is completely closed to avoid any contamination.