Why did my power tool burn out?
Why did my power tool burn out?
(OP)
I am a mechanical engineer with very basic understanding of electrical motors.
I was working with a brand new drill the other day and it burnt out. It caused a lot of smoke. When I opened it up I noticed that the insulation around the coils on the stator and the armature are burnt off, but the armature seems to rotate freely in the stator. I had originally thought that there must have been some friction between the two causing overheating, but this doesn't seem to be the problem. I replaced it under warranty, but was interested in how this could have happened.
Any ideas on what may have caused this? Bear in mind this is a brand new tool and died 5min into use. I wondered whether it may have been a short between the coils of either the stator or armature?
Thanks
I was working with a brand new drill the other day and it burnt out. It caused a lot of smoke. When I opened it up I noticed that the insulation around the coils on the stator and the armature are burnt off, but the armature seems to rotate freely in the stator. I had originally thought that there must have been some friction between the two causing overheating, but this doesn't seem to be the problem. I replaced it under warranty, but was interested in how this could have happened.
Any ideas on what may have caused this? Bear in mind this is a brand new tool and died 5min into use. I wondered whether it may have been a short between the coils of either the stator or armature?
Thanks





RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
Eng-Tips: Help for your job, not for your homework Read FAQ731-376
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
Home tools are not intended for continuous use..or they can easily overheat..Not sure if you used continously under load.
May be the way it was used, it caused it draw excessive current.
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
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Your body might be a temple. Mine is an amusement park...
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
Perhaps is there a similar specification for the winding?
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
Regards
Alberto J. Hung C
Caracas Venezuela
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
I had thought it could be wiring or coils shorting in armature or stator, but wondered if there are any other things that would cause this?
Thanks for your help guys.
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
* If you have never succeeded in anything in first attempt, skydiving isn't for you. *
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
We have been seeing some hand power tools with reputable names on them (we are an industrial distributor) with both skimpy power cords (like 18 AWG for a device that pulls 10 - 12 amps), knowing that in the field a 25, 50 or maybe even a 100 foot extension cord would likely be added. Some of this stuff is made in China, and the quality of the internals and the sizing of wire gauge vary a good deal.
BK
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
I guess I am gonna have to go with the shorted wire answer. Thanks heaps for your help here guys.
RE: Why did my power tool burn out?
However a shorted turn in the motor will often lead to progressive heating and failure as long as the drill was energised, regardless of the load applied.
All the posts are reasonable, but I think you have the correct answer here, GullyL.
"I had thought it could be wiring or coils shorting in armature or stator, but wondered if there are any other things that would cause this?"