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A substantial number of electric motors are present in almost every industry. These items can be kept on hand as spares or used right away. Many can be found in even small operations, but in large factories, the numbers can be mind-boggling.
How do you manage your motor inventory and population? What your plant needs is a comprehensive motor management program.
Why Motor Management?
Motor management systems are critical and can provide:
- Potential reduction of excess spare motor inventory,
- Improved energy efficiency and reduction of utility costs,
- Easy identification of potential problem areas,
- More defined appropriate policies and procedures across operations, and
- Quantifiable cost savings.
Applying to Your Operations
Many facilities have a mixture of motor part numbers. When researched, you often find that several motors can be standardized with one.
The new part number will meet the horsepower, RPM, enclosure style and voltage requirements of all other specifications. Hence, this can pave the way to a large reduction in your spare motor inventory.
Also, sustainability is becoming a major focus for most companies. A total review of your current motor population can help you understand your current motor efficiency.
Perhaps, a companywide standard can be implemented to move to newer technology. This will increase efficiency and decrease energy expenses. Keep in mind that 60-70% of a facilities’ energy expense is driven by their motor population.
Rewind policies are an important part of understanding and improving motor management. This comes from a cost perspective as well as an energy consumption perspective. Our experience shows that the rewind point for most facilities is around 60 horsepower.
Most importantly, you need to be able to quantify the cost savings that will result from this kind of program. This will come from a “before and after” look at costs. With the energy and stock cost reductions, the savings driven from this program could be significant. You can also drive savings by selecting a primary motor vendor, which will provide you a better negotiation position.
