We’ve got all kinds of motors in our facility like saws, sanders, dust collectors, a hydraulic pump, and some older fans. I’ve been asked to look into ways to save energy, but it’s tough to know which motors are the biggest problem or how to tell what’s inefficient.
what should be done to find inefficiencies.
Luis, great question. By logging motor runtime and load using even a simple clamp meter can reveal underloaded or oversized motors. Dust collectors and fans are often oversized or left on when not needed. Also checking the motor efficiency and nameplate capacity vs. actual could help identify upgrades needed. Do let me know if these help answer your questions.
Thanks. This gives me a clear place to start. We’re in the Central Valley in California. Is there an ITAC nearby that works with small manufacturers like us? I’d really like someone to walk through the facility with us if that’s possible.
Yes, Luis, the San Jose State University ITAC (San Jose State University) serves manufacturers throughout California, including the Central Valley. You can request an assessment here by clicking “APPLY NOW”: https://itac.university/, just include some basic info and someone from their team will follow up. Let us know if you’d like help with the process or an introduction.