How to test a motor for electric motorbike (1/3)

Whether out of conviction or sheer boredom, motorcycle after motorcycle, motor after motor, at Rothmans Engineering, we’ve meticulously refined a set of product development and testing procedures. These procedures, serving as constant reminders throughout project planning and execution, play a crucial role in helping our engineers and clients comprehend the objectives of our work.

To keep things from getting too serious in this post, this week we’re providing insights into the correct characterization of a motor for traction applications.

In the coming weeks, we will delve into how to verify its reliability, and later on, we’ll elaborate on the preparation and testing process a motor undergoes for certification.

The information shared here is an excerpt from our comprehensive procedure for characterizing an electric traction motor.

1.    OBJECTIVE

Determine the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the motor: power, rotation speed, consumption, supply voltage, and operating temperature.

2.    TEST INSTRUMENTATION

• Instrumented power control bench.
• Fan for motor cooling.
• Power supply for the motor.
• Temperature sensors.

3.    MOTOR INSTALLATION ON THE POWER BENCH FOR TESTING

Ensure a rigid mounting on the power bench to prevent possible vibrations that may alter the readings, and the transmission should be direct with a flexible coupling from the motor shaft to the bench brake. A preliminary test should be performed to check if it meets the design specifications, followed by the characterization test.

4.    ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS

At the end of the test, verify the correct functionality according to the functional specifications of the design.

5.    PRESENTATION OF RESULTS

Donde clase de aislamiento A, E, B, F y H corresponden a temperatura límite 105, 120, 130, 155 y 180 en ºC, respectivamente.