Problem
4. Fuses blow or circuit
breakers or overload
relays trip
32
Possible cause
a) Tank is too small.
b) Motor overload protection set too low.
c) Three-phased current is imbalanced.
d) Motor short-circuited or grounded.
e) Wiring or connections are faulty.
f)
Pump is blocked or seized.
g) Defective capacitor (single-phase motors).
h) Motor overload protection devices at higher
ambient temperature than motor.
Remedy
Check voltage at starter panel and motor. If
voltage varies more than - 10 %/+ 10 %, contact
power company. Check wire sizing.
Cycle pump and measure amperage. Increase
size of overload protection or adjust trip setting
to maximum motor nameplate (full load) current.
Check current draw on each lead to the motor.
Must be within - 5 %/+ 5 %. If not, check motor
and wiring. Rotating all leads may eliminate this
problem.
Turn off power and disconnect wiring. Measure
the lead-to-lead resistance with an ohmmeter
(RX-1). Measure lead-to-ground values with an
ohmmeter (RX-100K) or a megaohmmeter.
Record values. If an open or grounded winding
is found, remove the motor, repair and/or
replace.
Check proper wiring and loose terminals.
Tighten loose terminals. Replace damaged
wires.
Turn off power and manually rotate pump shaft.
If shaft does not rotate easily, check coupling
setting and adjust as necessary. If shaft rotation
is still tight, remove pump and inspect.
Disassemble and repair the pump.
Turn off power and outlet capacitor. Check with
ohmmeter (RX-100K). When the meter is
connected to the capacitor, the needle should
jump towards 0 ohms and slowly drift back to
infinity ( ∞ ). Replace capacitor if defective.
Use a thermometer to check the ambient
temperature near overload protection devices
and motor. Record these values. If ambient
temperature at motor is lower than at overload
protection devices, especially where
temperature at overload protection devices is
above 104 °F (40 °C), replace standard
protection devices with ambient-compensated
protection devices.