Real time data acquisition and analysis for load estimation in electrical motors

It has been found in the plant assessments that plant personnel are fairly uncertain about motor loading. The decisions about the motor sizing are based on judgment or easy slip method to avoid the hurdle of load determination methods. Accurate load determination methods involve working around high voltages hence have safety issues, are time consuming and also not economical. A method that is simple to use, economical, safe and fairly accurate is necessary, on which motor sizing decisions can be based. The paper aims at data acquisition and analysis for tackling this issue. Data was collected from fifteen facility energy audits by carrying out motor load monitoring with help of Amprobe™ data logger and DM II Pro acquisition software as well as stroboscope method. Statistical analysis can be carried out to establish a relationship between them, so that prediction of actual load factor can be made based on the load factor obtained by slip method.