There’s a common myth that circulates among owners of electric motors that rewinding them makes them less efficient and is a waste of money. However, motor rewinding is an essential part of maintenance, and it can save you money over the years by restoring its optimal function. Below is a guide to what rewinding can offer your motor.

What Is It & Why Is It Done?

An electric motor stator, or the housing for the rotor, is made of an iron core that houses copper winding. Rewinding involves replacing the copper winding in the core to revitalize its function. The old winding can be removed by heating it up and then loosening it or by simply snipping the ends and pushing it out, depending on how its held in place.

If done under the right circumstances, rewinding restores the motor to its original efficiency—or higher. It can save a burnt-out motor, which keeps you from having to replace it, and it will reduce the cost to run the motor if it was suffering from lowered efficiency. The improved efficiency is especially beneficial in large motors that are run frequently, as they cost the most to operate.

When Should It Be Done & When Won’t It Help?

Rewinding serves as an effective method of motor repair when the winding insulation or the copper itself is damaged, which are usually signaled by a breakdown or failure to start. A loss of power or inhibited performance may also call for a rewinding, which can extend the life of your electric motor and make it run like new again. 

If the core itself is damaged beyond the insulation and winding, the motor should not be rewound. Rewinding a motor whose iron core is damaged could reduce its efficiency even more and raise the temperature it operates at, which leads to an increased risk of future breakdowns.

You should also reconsider having the motor rewound if it wouldn’t be efficient to do so. Motors that are over a decade old, for instance, use dated parts and technology that makes them less efficient, and rewinding them may actually increase their operating cost. In this case, weigh the benefits of buying a newer, energy-efficient motor.

Electric motor rewinding can be complicated, and only an experienced motor repair professional should do it. At Aero Services in Fairbanks, AK, you’ll receive skilled service backed by over 63 years of experience. Family-owned and -operated, they offer motor and generator repairs in-house or on-site and have the largest motor shop in interior Alaska. Learn more about what they do online, and call (907) 479-6666 for an appointment.