May 2023 | Dreisilker Electric Motors

When it comes to running a manufacturing operation, it is important to understand when you should have a spare electric motor available in case of repairs or breakdowns. Electric motor failure can be very costly in terms of downtime for your factory. Having a spare motor can also prevent a costly downtime, which can have a significant impact on your production timeline.

There are a few different questions that you should ask to determine if you should have a spare electric motor:

How critical is the electric motor to your operations?

If you operate an industrial setting where speed is of the essence, an extra electric motor ready to go can be essential. Manufacturing and industrial work can often be hampered by machine breakdowns, and an electric motor that needs to be sent off for repairs can cause a considerable disruption in the flow of production. This problem can be alleviated with the addition of a spare electric motor, allowing you to resume normalcy and keep errors to a minimum.

How unique is the electric motor?

Often times, special equipment comes with special electric motors. These motors are not easily replaced and often time require repair. Check with your vendor of the machine or our motor experts to determine how unique your electric motor is. Working with the manufacturer or motor experts can help you determine the availability of replacement parts and whether or not you should have a spare on hand.

spare motors in storage

At Dreisilker, we have built an inventory of spare motors for the Machine Tool (CNC) and Printing industries so that we can be there for our customers. While some of these spare motors are unique, we also have many unique motors on hand. Call your Dreisilker motor expert to learn more about our inventory of these special motors and how we can help you with your business continuity strategy.

How old is the electric motor and its machine?

Similar to the uniqueness of your electric motor, your electric motor could be obsoleted by the equipment manufacturer. These means that the motor may not be available anymore for replacement or that the lead time for a new motor can take months. A spare motor can bridge the gap in this situation, ensuring the machinery doesn’t have to sit idle while waiting on a new part.

1939 1000HP Westinghouse Motor

Here’s a 1000 HP Westinghouse motor that was originally manufactured in 1939. We were happy to help our customer repair this motor back to its former glory. We don’t often see motors as old as this come through our doors! We did look for a replacement motor for our customer, but because of the age of the motor, it was not an option.

What is the cost of a spare electric motor?

If you determine that your electric motor is critical to your operations, it does not hurt to receive a quote for a spare electric motor from your motor experts. Our skilled customer service representatives are happy to help quote a motor for you so that you can make an educated decision on when to have a spare electric motor on the shelf. We have helped customers work with their operations manager to evaluate the cost of downtime with the cost of a spare motor or a repaired motor.

Considerations for your spare electric motor:

If you do make the decision to keep a spare electric motor on your shelf, make sure that you follow our guide on how to keep this spare motor in top condition.

For these reasons and more, having a spare electric motor on-hand can be a cost-savings measure in the long run. At Dreisilker Electric Motors, we have a wide range of electric motor repair, sales, and field services to ensure your manufacturing operations maintain peak efficiency and performance. Contact us today to find the perfect solution for your business.”

The Environment of your Electric Motor Storage

It’s critical to make sure the environment where you store your electric motor is kept at optimal conditions.

Climate control

Humidity and temperature vary by type of motor, but in general it should be stored in a temperature-controlled space that is not too humid. Temperature fluctuations caused by constant naturally occurring heating and cooling cycles should also be avoided.

Threat of contamination

Electric motors should be stored in a clean environment in order to prevent contamination to the motor. Taking the extra step of covering the motor in a cardboard box or a tarp can prevent dust and other contaminants entering the electric motor.

Rodent control

Rodents such as mice or squirrels are known to cause havoc on many things, such as electric motors. Ensuring that the space where you store your electric motors is critical so that you don’t have any unexpected chewed wires or contamination from rodents nesting in your motors.

Bearing Maintenance for Electric Motor Storage

Another important factor in storing your electric motor is turning the bearings regularly. Bearing maintenance helps prevent the formation of rust, which can lead to a complete failure of the system. This can be accomplished by hand, but if you don’t want to take that approach, Dreisilker’s motor storage program can turn the bearings for you as part of our storage cycle.

When Should you Store a Spare Electric Motor?

There are many factors that go into deciding whether or not you should keep a spare electric motor on hand. Some factors include how common the motor is, how critical the motor is to your operations, and cost of a spare. Check out our guide here:

The bottom line is that properly storing electric motors is one of the most important factors in making sure that your machinery is safe and runs smoothly. Dreisilker’s motor storage program provides a service for turning bearings during storage and protection from atmospheric contaminants, so you don’t have to worry about storing electric motors on your own. With the help of Dreisilker’s motor storage program, the longevity of your motor and its performance can be maintained and repair costs can be saved.”

Getting Ready for Manufacturing Success: When to have a Spare Electric Motor