This week’s PdMA tip: Why Wye?

Sometimes your six lead motors are configured to start in a Wye configuration and switch to a Delta configuration during the start-up known commonly as Wye Start/Delta Run.

This starting method minimizes current demand during starting and reduces the impact on the power system, therefore, lessen the chance of the motor tripping off-line in a distressed power system.

As motor analysts and technicians, we need to remember that when de-energized the three phases are completely disconnected from each other. Connecting your MCE® test leads to motor leads 1,2,3 will indicate an open Phase with no conductivity. The recommended approach is to move your test leads to each phase and check that phase separately.

Referring to the handy EASA Electrical Engineering Handbook, we can determine which motor leads make up the three independent phases:

• Motor lead 1 and 4 (phase 1)
• Motor lead 2 and 5 (phase 2)
• Motor lead 3 and 6 (phase 3)

Also, remember that each phase can have its independent resistance and capacitance-to-ground reading as a result of being disconnected from the other phases.

PdMA® Corporation is an industry leader in the field of predictive maintenance (PdM) and condition monitoring, globally offering Electric Motor Testing instruments.

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