TYPICAL MAINTENANCE

REQUIREMENTS
AND
OUR EXPERIENCE ON SOME
TYPICAL TROUBLE SHOOTINGS

1. BEARING ADAPTER SLEEVES.

2. BEARING HOUSING TOLERANCES.
3. BEARING SELECTION FOR HIGH SPEED FANS.
4. GREASE LUBRICATED BEARING HOUSINGS.
5. FANS MOUNTED ON VIBRATION ISOLATORS.
6. HIGH VIBRATIONS AT LOWER FREQUENCY.
7. DESIGN OF FOUNDATION.
8. RETROFIT FANS ON EXISTING FOUNDATION.
9. WEAR PROTECTION ON IMPELLERS.

1. New Fan on existing foundation.

2. Original foundation designed for
3000 rpm.
3. New Fan designed for 1470 rpm.
4. After installation vibrations are high.
5. Reason : natural frequency of
foundation and fan frequency are
matching.

1.The Fan was commissioned and running smoothly for one year.
2. There was a gradual increase in vibrations.
3. Suddenly there was big noise.
4. Bearing Housings were broken.
5. Shaft was lifted by around 500 mm and bent.
6. Motor along with pedestals lifted from the foundation by around 150 mm.
7. Reasons : Civil foundation was weak.

1. Separation of liner from Blades.

2. Reason was coarse dust particles and impact at
blade nose.
3. Solution was to provide liner at blade nose with
higher elongations to take care of impact.
4. Please note generally hard faced wear plates or
hard faced layers are prone to fail against
impact.

BEARING
HOUSING

Trouble Shooting
Malfunction

Unsteady operation of fan.

Possible cause

Action

Material sticking to impeller blades

Carefully clean impeller.

Worn impeller.

Replace impeller.

Impeller deformed by heat.

Replace Impeller.
Remove fan from foundation
and level foundation again.

Strain exerted by connected pipes.

Correct setting.

Medium escapes at the

shaft seal.

Seal is faulty or worn.

Use flesible pipe connections

(compensators).

Fan produces a grinding

noise.

Impeller rubs against nozzle.

Loosen housing cover and

inlet re-align, check and
correct pipe if necessary.

The power input indicated on Motor noise.

the rating plate is constantly
exceeded.

Fan does not accelerate.

Check if bearings are

damaged and replace
bearings if necessary.

Too much air.

Reduce air volume using a

choking element until the
permissible power input is
reached.

Different speed with 60 Hz mains.

Check frequency.

Improper connection of drive motor.

Check connection.

Motor does not change from

star to delta connection.

Shorten change-over time

from star to delta.

Fan operates against

insufficient plant resistance.

Close chocking elements or

install additional plate
shutters.

Malfunction

Unsteady operation.

Unusual running noises:

Whinning or whistling noise.

Running noise is changing

gradually.

Possible cause

Action

Motor protection system is not

strong enough.

Cable cross section and

protective system must
withstand starting current
during acceleration.

Starting time is too long.

Close choking elements,

check starting torque of M A /M N

motor.

Faulty drive motor.

Check motor and replace if

necessary.

Starting/re-starting when fan is hot.

Switching frequency too high,

let motor run through (control
via choking element).

Starting current too high.

Wrong voltage.
Provide star-delta starting,
local mains not strong
enough.

Damaged races and rolling

elements.

Replace bearing.

Excessive bearing clearance.

Protect bearing against

Wear caused by dirt or

insufficient lubrication.

Use clean grease.

Insufficient internal clearance.

Use bearing with sufficient

internal clearance.

Excessive internal clearance,

damaged rolling surfaces, dirt.

Replace bearing.

Wrong lubricant.

Use correct lubricant.

Change of internal clearance

caused by temperature
changes, damaged raceway
(e.g. by dirt or fatigue).

Protect bearing against heat/

cold.

Please Click Me,

to return to the Main Menu . . .

MENU