PdM COE - Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA)

MISTRAS Services performs Motor Current Signature Analysis (MCSA) on large motors onsite at your plant, which monitors the condition of the motor rotor bars, windings, insulation, etc. by analyzing the frequency content of the current draw through the motor.

MISTRAS utilizes state of the art instruments and programs to perform MCSA by measuring amperage at the MCC panel and determining how much extraneous current energy (side-band peaks) exists in the motor other than the normal 60 Hz peak.

By trending the amplitude of these current side-band peaks, MISTRAS can determine and report to the electrical maintenance manager if and when any problems such as cracked rotor bars are developing in the motor. Motor temperature and phase balance (amperage on the 3 legs) can also be monitored by MISTRAS or your electrician as the amplitude of the side-band peaks grow and become more of a priority. The good news is that it normally takes months for the side-band peaks to reach critical amplitude, so there's usually plenty of notice before the problem is serious and therefore time to plan your outage.