At FNT at Sea Services we are adding Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) technology in order to monitor the condition of motor and load enclosed in casing or any other motor with restricted access

At Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) we use the electric motor as a transducer, in order to evaluate the electrical and mechanical condition. The current signal is acquired from one phase of the motor supply (at motor terminal box, or at local electric panel) without interruption of the machine operation. In MCSA the current signal is processed to obtain the frequency spectrum usually referred to as current signature. MCSA rely upon FFT analysis, much like vibration analysis as well as upon advance analysis techniques like current demodulation, which involves the removal of the fundamental frequency. By means of the motor signature, one can identify the magnitude and frequency of each individual component that constitutes the signal of the motor. The appropriate analysis of the results helps in identifying problems at the following components

• Rotor Bars (eccentricity or broken bars)

• Stator winding

• Motor Bearings

• Coupling (direct, belted or geared systems)

It is extremely useful technology for condition monitoring of motors and loads enclosed in casing (such as E/R fans) as well as in cases where there is restricted access to the motor.