Electric motor bearing greasing procedure

What’s inside

1. 1

   Check grease type, quantity and interval

   Read the motor nameplate or lubrication plate for the grease type, the quantity per bearing (drive end and non-drive end often differ) and the interval. Never mix incompatible greases.

   Verification5 min

   Tools: Motor manual or lubrication plate

   Risks: Incompatible greases can soften or harden and cause bearing failure.

2. 2

   Prepare the grease gun

   Use a grease gun dedicated and labelled for that grease. Know how much it delivers per stroke (weigh ten strokes) so you can give the specified quantity.

   Action5 min

   Tools: Labelled grease gun, scale

3. 3

   Clean the grease nipples

   Wipe each nipple and the area around it so no dirt is pushed into the bearing. Replace any damaged or blocked nipple.

   Action5 min

   Tools: Lint-free cloth, spare nipples

4. 4

   Open the grease drain

   Remove the drain plug or open the relief so old grease can escape, and clear any hardened grease from the outlet.

   Action5 min

   Tools: Spanners, probe

   Risks: With the drain closed, grease is forced into the winding or past the seals.

5. 5

   Grease the bearings

   Grease with the motor running or stopped as the manufacturer specifies; running is usually preferred so the grease spreads. Pump the specified quantity in slowly.

   Action10 min

   Tools: Grease gun

   Risks: If greasing while running, keep hands, sleeves and tools away from the shaft and fan. If stopped, isolate the motor following your lockout procedure.

6. 6

   Stop at the specified quantity

   Do not keep pumping until grease appears at the drain: over-greasing makes the bearing run hot and fail early. Stop if you feel unusual resistance.

   Verification2 min
7. 7

   Run the motor to expel the excess

   Let the motor run with the drain open, typically 10 to 30 minutes, until excess grease stops coming out. Bearing temperature may rise briefly and then settle back to normal.

   Verification30 min

   Tools: Infrared thermometer

8. 8

   Close the drain and clean up

   Refit the drain plug or close the relief, and wipe away expelled grease so new leaks are visible at the next round.

   Action5 min

   Tools: Spanners, cloth

9. 9

   Record the greasing

   Record the date, grease used, quantity per bearing, bearing temperature after greasing and any noise noticed.

   Action5 min

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