Square One Electric Motor's equipment storage program is safe and affordable. We offer pick-up and drop off for clients within our repair shop service area of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey
From temporary to long-term storage plans, we have a wide array of service options available so you can pick the one that’s best for you.
All of our plans include:
- Equipment pick up and delivery**
- Shaft protection
- Blue layout
- Caps on threaded ends
- Palletized
- Cover for dust protection
- Desiccant packets for moisture absorption
- Tagged for monthly shaft rotation
- Computer log
**Additional fees may apply for emergency deliveries and large equipment requiring a dedicated truck.
Motor Storage Basics
Following the appropriate electric motor storage procedures before and after it’s with us can protect a stored electric motor from environmental damage and help us keep your equipment in top shape.
Below are some steps to take when preparing your equipment for storage with us and for when you retrieve it to help ensure its condition is maintained.
- Indoor storage: If possible, store motors indoors in a clean, dry, heated area.
- Outdoor storage: Loosely cover the motor with a tarpaulin that reaches the ground but allows enough air circulation to minimize condensation.
- Ambient vibration: Choose an equipment storage area away from ambient vibration sources like heavy construction equipment, production floors, busy roads, and rail lines. Lock the shaft to prevent any potential movement.
- Position: Store horizontal motors horizontally and vertical motors in stable vertical positions.
- Keep motor windings clean and dry: The best way to preserve the insulating properties of the windings is to prevent condensation and accumulation of moisture. Keep the winding temperature 5-10°C (10-20°F) above the ambient by energizing the space heaters or by "trickle heating" one phase of the winding with low voltage.
- Insulation resistance (IR) of the windings: Measure and record the IR and correct it to a standard temperature before storing the motor, and again just before putting it in service.
- Pests: Take precautions to keep animals and insects from entering the motor.
- Motor surfaces: Coat delicate exposed surfaces or external machined surfaces (especially shaft extensions) with a rust preventative. Disassembly may be required to remove the protective coatings before the motor is put in service.
- Grease-lubricated bearings: To prevent corrosion and contamination during long-term storage, clean the grease fitting and remove the drain plug before inserting compatible grease. Following relubrication, purge the excess or old grease from the grease chamber by running the motor at least 30 minutes with the drain plug removed.
- If the motor has been stored for several years, the grease will likely have hardened, and the drainpipe may be plugged with dried grease. In this case, the motor must be disassembled to remove the old grease and then relubricated before being placed in service. * Don't relubricate bearings with the drain closed or while the motor is running.
- Oil-lubricated bearings: Always drain the oil before moving the motor. After situating the motor in the storage area, fill the reservoir with the correct oil and appropriate rust inhibitors. Ideally, the oil should cover the bearings completely without overflowing the stand tube or labyrinth seal. Drain and replace the oil before putting the motor in service. *Always drain the oil before moving a motor.