Sensing Solution for Motors

"Until now, the monitoring and preventive maintenance of low-voltage motors has been time-consuming and expensive," said an ABB spokesperson. "New technology from ABB transforms simple motors into intelligent machines that tell users when they need servicing." Smart sensors attached directly to the motor supply information regarding operating and condition parameters via wireless transmission.

The sensor technology offers plant operators not only potential savings on maintenance and repair, but will also make it easy to utilize the Internet of Things, Services and People (IoTSP) for millions of motors. The IoTSP is ABB's concept for enabling its customers to take advantage of the opportunities of digitalization. With the new solution, small and mid-sized companies can also benefit from the advantages offered by the IoTSP.

The smart sensor provides information on operating and condition parameters such as vibration, temperature or overload and calculates power consumption. The data are analyzed by a specially developed software program and provided to the plant operator in the form of graphics for maintenance planning, thereby helping to enable downtime reductions of up to 70%. At the same time, the lifetime of the motors can extended by up to 30% and energy consumption reduced by as much as 10%.

"This innovative solution makes condition monitoring the new standard for low-voltage motors," said Pekka Tiitinen, President of the ABB's Discrete Automation and Motion division. "Optimized maintenance schedules help reduce maintenance costs. Unscheduled outages are reduced or even eliminated completely. Increased availability boosts our customers' productivity."

This solution is not restricted to new motors made by ABB. The sensors can be installed at the factory or retrofitted on already operating low-voltage motors.

Cyber security is guaranteed at all times with the new sensor technology from ABB. The sensor is not electrically connected to the motor, so unauthorized parties cannot access the motor via this route. The smart sensors wirelessly transmit the data via encryption protocols to a secure server where they are analyzed using special algorithms. The cloud-based server implementation fulfills all of ABB's strict specifications for cyber security. The data are stored in the cloud in encrypted form. The internet-based customer portal also uses a role-based access protocol to make the data securely accessible.

ABB Drives and Controls

16250 W. Glendale Drive

New Berlin, WI 53151

800-752-0696

www.abb.com/drives