Installation Manual

Pump Motors
11
A.O.Smith
Installation
Guidelines
When replacing a motor that has failed, if possible,
determine the cause of failure. If you know why the
original motor failed you may be able to improve the
installation so the new motor doesn’t fail for the same
reason. Be particularly conscious of external condi-
tions such as moisture, low voltage or dirt and debris
that could have contributed to the failure. Here are
more things you should consider when installing a
motor:
Heat The number one enemy of a motor is heat.
Overheating always results whenever there is a lack
of clean, continually circulating air through a motor.
Heat can damage a motor’s windings, insulation,
bearing lubricant and capacitors. In short, heat can
quickly decrease the service life of a motor. Remember
that proper ventilation is always a crucial considera-
tion when installing a motor.
If at all possible, install a motor in a location that is
free of dirt, dust or airborne debris, such as leaves.
Indoors is best, but not in areas with high humidity,
such as a laundry room or shower area. If the motor is
installed outdoors, try to choose a shady spot that’s
protected from leaves and grass clippings. If you
cover the motor to protect it from possible debris or
water, there must be enough room between the cover
and the motor to allow for a continual supply of un-
recirculated outside air to flow through the motor.
A.O. Smith single-phase pool and spa motors fea-
ture a thermal overload protector that will shut down
the motor if it overheats. As the windings begin to
cool down, the overload protector will automatically
re-start the motor. Blocked ventilation or an overload
condition can cause the motor to shutdown on a
repeated basis. The motor is operating as it was
designed. It is important to determine what is causing
the motor to overheat and correct the problem.