Electric Motor Rewinding: When, Why and How to Choose the Right Service

Introduction

Electric motors are the workhorses of industry — running pumps, fans, compressors and conveyor drives. When a motor fails, owners face a common decision: replace it or rewind it. Rewinding is a cost-effective, sustainable option that restores old motors to near-original performance when done correctly.

Signs you need a rewind

Common symptoms include reduced torque, overheating, unusual vibration, burnt smell or visible damage to the stator windings. Before replacing an entire motor, a rewind evaluation can save money and reduce downtime.

What a professional rewind includes

A quality rewind service inspects the rotor and stator, measures insulation resistance, removes damaged copper, recreates windings to original specs, balances the rotor and re-tests the motor under load. A reputable workshop will also varnish and bake the stator to protect windings and extend service life.

Benefits over replacement

Rewinding is often cheaper than buying a new motor of equivalent specification, especially for larger frames. It keeps equipment matched to existing gearboxes and couplings and reduces waste — an increasingly important factor for companies pursuing sustainability goals.

Choosing a supplier

Look for accredited suppliers with clear testing regimes, references, and warranty terms. Turnaround time, pickup/drop-off logistics and quality of consumables (insulation materials, varnish) all matter to long-term reliability.

About the recommended service

For comprehensive motor rewinds and testing in the UK, consider contacting Rotating Electrics for evaluations, competitive quotes and industry-standard workmanship.