Blower Cutout

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bleecker
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Post by bleecker » Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 4:09 pm

For some reason, the breaker on my blower/auger motor keeps popping. The first time it happened, the auger was jammed. I fixed that. Now, the breaker seems to be popping for no reason. Any suggestions?

 
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coalkirk
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Location: Forest Hill MD
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1981 EFM DF520 retired
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Coal Size/Type: Lehigh anthracite/rice coal

Post by coalkirk » Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 4:18 pm

bleecker wrote:For some reason, the breaker on my blower/auger motor keeps popping. The first time it happened, the auger was jammed. I fixed that. Now, the breaker seems to be popping for no reason. Any suggestions?
If the breaker is popping, it's not for no reason. The tripping breaker indicates the motor is drawing more amps than the circuit is rated for. The motor might have been damaged during the jam.

 
bleecker
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Post by bleecker » Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 4:27 pm

Is there a simple way to test for an overload? I have a meter.

Thanks.

 
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coaledsweat
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
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Post by coaledsweat » Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 4:40 pm

Breakers can get weak too, especially after many trips. Check what the amp draw is when it pops and you'll know. You need an amp meter to check it, a multimeter won't do it. Is everything turning easily?


 
bleecker
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Post by bleecker » Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 5:20 pm

Everything is turning easily. Taking the cover plate off the blower motor looks easy, but it is not. There are small hex head bolts that are recessed, and the space around the bolts is too small to get a socket on them. Do I need to remove the entire motor from the blower housing? Also, it is advised to manually oil the sleeve bearing. How do I do that?

Thanks.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 5:44 pm

I would switch power to another location and see if it trips first before opening a can of worms. If it turns easy enough and the motor doesn't get hot it is more than likely the breaker. How long does it run before tripping? One sign of a weak breaker is the more it trips, the fail times get closer and closer. Eventually you'll get no reset out of them.

 
bleecker
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Post by bleecker » Fri. Nov. 21, 2014 8:07 pm

Thanks for the help. I think that I had a continuity problem. I found two white wires in a a wire nut that appear to have become separated. I hope that this solves the problem. If not, you'll be hearing from me soon.

Thanks again.

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