Premature Failure of Large Horse Power Motors due to Improper Field Connections, Installation and Commissioning: Copyright Material IEEE, Paper No. PCIC-2018-12

The commissioning phase is the final stage of a project, before production. This is the phase of the project where all the pieces of the puzzle have to come together. The objective of commissioning is to demonstrate to the end user that the goals and objectives specified in the project scope have met the requirements. This paper will focus on premature failures of large motors in the oil and gas industries, which had improper field installation, connections and commissioning. Large horsepower (HP) motors are a key part of most projects and require a great deal of attention to details. Motors require relay protection, writing specifications, vetting suppliers, and testing protocols. The goal is to get desired life expectancy with trouble free service from the motor and the driven equipment. It is clear that good installation is a key to success. Incorrect installation of field connections and field modifications can shorten the life of the motor and instrumentation, and in some cases can lead to premature failures. This applies to a new installation as well as retrofits with an adjustable speed drive (ASD). This paper discusses multiple premature motor failures resulting from improper installations and offers possible protocols that may have prevented equipment failure and the downtime.