Sulzer’s Pasadena Service Center has opened an extra-large capacity test center for AC and DC motors. Located in Houston, TX., this capability further strengthens the company’s maintenance and repair offering for large and extra-large motors used in the process, power, marine and heavy industry sectors.

The new test facility at Sulzer’s Pasadena Service Center is part of a program of continued investment to better serve users of large AC and DC motors. At the heart of the test center is a Phenix Technologies MTS6500R2 high voltage test panel which offers the ability to test AC motors up to 32,500 hp (24.2 MW) with no load and 6,500 hp (4.8 MW) at full load, as well as DC motors up to 7,000 A no load and 1,750 A full load. 

Designed to simulate real-world motor operating conditions to prove performance, the Sulzer test center provides data on electrical parameters, winding and bearing temperatures as well as vibration and speed. Motors of almost any size can be tested, with the capability to test multiple motors simultaneously. Innovative features such as a column transformer regulator that stabilizes the incoming current during testing ensures highly accurate results. Customers will also be able to remote witness test their motors online and view the equipment being tested in real-time. 

Jim Mugford, president of Sulzer Electro Mechanical Services, commented: “This purpose-built facility offers new and advanced motor testing capabilities to our customers in the Americas. A unique feature is the dedicated power supply to the test center, independent from the service center operations. This allows us to test any motor of any size 24/7 without impacting day-to-day operations. We have also installed a third extra-large test bed giving us the ability to test multiple large motors at the same time. Finally, we are excited to offer remote witness testing capability to our customers as well. This multi-million-dollar investment gives us the most comprehensive repair and test facility for electric motors in the US.”