Armature Testing

There are more than a few popular standardized tests available for armature testing. These specific tests are: AC Hipot Testing, Arc Detection, Resistance Testing, Resistance Balance, and Surge Testing. Each of the tests listed are specific to armature testing. Some of the tests can be performed without having specialized equipment, in which case, the tests can be performed in a home garage or shop.

The AC Hipot / Dielectric test is used to determine real resistance within coil wire. In this event, the core can be damaged by surges of electricity outside the measurable specifications provided at build. In fact, when physical changes occur between mechanical and electrical components, the current or voltages may too change due to the differences in the type of wire used. This refers to the armature core where the wire, in building the core can generally contain a higher, or lower resistance. The lower the resistance, the better the core will perform; While in opposite, the core increases its failure over time due to the increased resistance.

As previously mentioned, armature testing also includes Arc Detection. This is a highly developed detection sequence that declares any power charge that increments beyond the realm of specification is an arc "due to a short somewhere along the lines." However, the test cannot determine the exact location of the cause, nor the location of the short. Specialized equipment must be used to initiate this test.

Resistance Testing is, in short, testing the resistance in a wire component. In point, resistance testing is creating resistance to determine the performance value of a wire component. Certainly its understandable when some wires are heated to a certain degree, the possible rate of failure increases. The value of the resistance test to armature testing is micronominal, in that, pretesting the wiring to determine if failure is likely, and at what location point in the armature. Uniquely resistance balance would mean balancing the resistance of the latter.

Surge Testing is a test to determine whether the induction of current is within operating specifications. This means that the initial induction of energy from the core should still be within operating specifications. This part of armature testing is not valued, however, could be needed in high voltage situations. The energy must remain stable from beginning to end. It can be seen that there are several different matters that are involved in armature testing. Albeit, the testing may be performed in a garage, or where professional and industrial performance matters, testing is performed thoroughly in a professional setting.

For armature testing in a garage, the armature is placed on a V-block of the growler. With the current turned on, place a thin metal strip over the core, and rotate the armature slowly until the completion of one revolution. The steel or metal strip will become magnetized, and vibrate if there is a short. For surety, clean the armature, and repeat the cycle. Once the armature has been thoroughly cleaned, and the steel or metal strip still becomes magnetized then a replacement is necessary.

The contents is this article should not be presumed a substitute for professional services. When testing electrical equipment, the use of safety gear should also be observed. Remove all potentially hazardous, and flammable chemicals from the testing area prior to commencing any actions.