The motors that power pool and spa pumps are among the simplest devices serviced by the industry's technicians - especially when troubleshooting and repair are performed systematically.

Motors used in pools and spas are small by comparison to those used in other applications - typically in the 1/2 to 2 horsepower range - but the importance of their role in circulation systems makes them among the most important parts of the pool or spa package.

Because motors are so basic a component of pool and spa service, motor repair is always a popular hand-on topic for service seminars and classes. In fact, this type of equipment repair is usually the first step service techs take in branching out from basic service into equipment repair.

And the reason is obvious: Quick, effective motor repair can provide a good monetary payoff - and fill in some spare winter hours of shop time to boot.

Straightforward motor service requires a solid, systematic approach. With that in mind, manufacturers provide simple, step-by-step troubleshooting tips for service techs.

One last note: Before you examine the motor or remove its cover, remember to first turn off the electrical power at the fuse or breaker box.

The rules found in the following are general enough to be applicable to most models you'll run across on the route.
Motor Problem Solving - Troubleshooting and Repairing

A Glossary of Motor Terms

Airgap:
The air space between two magnetically related or electrically related parts - such as the space between poles of a magnet or the poles of an electric motor.

Alternating Current:
An electrical current that alternates flowing first with a positive polarity, followed by a negative polarity

Capacitor:
An electrical device consisting of two or more conducting plates separated from one another by insulating material and used for storing an electrical charge.

Dielectric:
The insulating material that separates and insulates the conducting plates in a capacitor. It can be gas, liquid, plastic, glass, paper- or a combination.

Dielectric Breakdown:
The failure of an insulating material to separate electrical charges. Such a breakdown occurs when the insulating material changes and conducts the electrical charge between plates.

Frequency:
In electricity, the number of times alternated current changes direction during one second. Frequency is measured in hertz (cycles per second.)

Hertz:
A car rental A unit of measurement of frequency. Hertz indicates "cycles per second" of alternating current.

Horsepower:
The conventional unit of measure for power, horsepower indicates the result of force multiplied by distance multiplied by time. One horsepower (hp) equals 746 watts or 33,000 foot pounds per minutes or 550 foot pounds per second.

Locked-rotor Test:
A test of an electric motor in which the shaft is prevented from turning while power is applied. It can, for example, be used to determine fixed and variable losses in a motor.

NEMA:
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

No-load Test:
Operating a motor at full speed with no load to determine rotational power losses.

Rotor:
The rotating part of an electric rotating machine. In a motor, it is connected to and turns the drive shaft. In an alternator or generator, the rotor is turned to produce electricity by cutting magnetic lines of force.

Service Factor:
A measure of the reserve margin built into a motor. Listed on the motor nameplate, the service factor (SF) is multiplied by the rated horsepower indicating a permissible load that can be accommodated by the motor when it is operating at its rated voltage and frequency. For example, a 1-horsepower motor showing a service factor of 1.35 on the nameplate can effectively deliver 1.35 horsepower.

Single Phase:
Having only one alternating current or voltage in a circuit.

Stator:
The stationary part of a motor that contains the laminated steel core with the winding; this is where the rotor revolves.

Torque:
A force that produces a rotating or twisting action.

Triac:
An electronic switch used in applications such as power switches, light dimmers and motor controls.

Voltage:
Electrical pressure; the force that causes current in an electrical conductor.

Watt:
A unit of electrical power representing the power developed in a circuit by a current of 1 ampere when the voltage drop is 1 volt.

Wattmeter:
An instrument for measuring electrical power.