Commissioning of Motor Under Load

timm333

Senior Member
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Occupation
Electrical Design Engineer
Just want to ask: is there some North American standard which addresses the “commissioning” of electric motor in a process plant. I know NETA-ATS is for testing/pre-commissioning. But I am looking for some standard which addresses the commissioning of motor under actual load conditions, where load on motor changes with process variables like fluid pressure and flow rate. Thanks.
 
IMO, the owner should be answering that question.

Are engineers involved in the project?

We worked with whoever designed the project, upon startup. Owners weren't handed the project until the three of us were happy. Those variables need to be addressed at commissioning.
 
There are no engineers involved at this stage of project. Owner says that electrical group should be involved in the commissioning of process system. I think it is not correct. Because Electrical group can test the motor and starter and perform the setting of motor overload relay. After that if the motor trips on overload, that will not be an electrical issue, and in that case they will have to change process factors (like flow rate, pressure, etc.) until the motor stops to trip. What do you think about it?
 
There are no engineers involved at this stage of project. Owner says that electrical group should be involved in the commissioning of process system. I think it is not correct. Because Electrical group can test the motor and starter and perform the setting of motor overload relay. After that if the motor trips on overload, that will not be an electrical issue, and in that case they will have to change process factors (like flow rate, pressure, etc.) until the motor stops to trip. What do you think about it?
That's your choice. Mine was to be involved.

The owner may need to find an EC that can deliver what he wants. His choice.

Most electrical problems we were called for, were mechanical issues.
 
Most electrical problems we were called for, were mechanical issues.
This is my experience as well. Over the years I have learned to RECOGNIZE mechanical problems and mistakes, mostly because I have eliminated any electrical issues. My hit rate is pretty good, yet technically, the mechanical issues are not my responsibility. I’m there to make the motor work. Once it does, I should be able to walk away. But so often there is nobody else around with two brain cells to rub together to figure out why something isn’t working right. I do it because I care, but it drives me nuts sometimes, ESPECIALLY when someone else who SHOULD take responsibility is there, and has no clue.

Ok, kind of hit a nerve there, sorry. Rant complete…
 
Definitely charge for that commissioning. Allow for __ number of hours and/or state the rate for it. We got paid handsomely to stand around and wait for sheeves to be secured to shafts, grain leg belts to be tightened or aligned, auger pulley ratios changed.
I got caught up in an “argument” with a pump supplier once over his having sold a customer a 100HP pump to replace a 400HP pump, telling them that they could put a VFD on it and run it faster to get more water flow. I pointed out the physics problem with that idea, they kept dragging me back into meetings with the owner, insisting that I was just being stubborn about not wanting to reprogram the drive. I sent the owner a bill for my time wasted in those meetings, he eventually paid it once he read all the stuff I gave him about the Affinity Speed Law for centrifugal pumps. The pump guy didn’t know that? That was HIS job, not mine!
 
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