The Downside to Reusing Motor Leads.

The EPG Connection

Your Resource for Landfill, Environmental, and Industrial Solutions!

January 2024

Issue No. 162

In This Issue: Stop Reusing Motor Leads | EPG Quick Tip

One of the key factors leading to an expensive pump repair, failure or replacement is the quality and condition of the motor lead during pump installation or maintenance. Often the first assumption made when pump motor failure occurs is that the pump or motor manufacturer supplied faulty equipment. This may not necessarily be the reason and a simple examination of the motor lead condition and history can help identify the real problem.

To reduce the chance of costly pump repairs and replacements due to motor lead problems, EPG firmly suggests the correct installation of a NEW motor lead on all EPG pumps prior to installation.

What Makes EPG Motor Leads So Reliable?

EPG pumps are shipped with motor leads sealed to the motors. Designed to provide years of moisture-free, safe and dependable service, each motor lead comes with a rubber grommet seal, jacketed cables, and a large grounding surface. EPG motor leads are thoroughly tested, first with a megohmmeter or "Megger" and then submerged and pressure tested at 150psi.

EPG conducts pressure testing to insure that no potentially explosive gases can migrate through the cable housing to the control panel. This process is unique to EPG, in comparison to the competition.

But even though EPG motor leads are considered “best in the field”, they are not intended to be removed and re-attached to the motor. When new EPG motor leads are tightened to the motor, a rubber grommet expands within the connection chamber causing a permanent moisture-tight seal.

The Downside To Reusing Motor Leads

Pump heat during operation solidifies the seal (mentioned above) providing years of moisture-free connection. If the motor lead is detached from the pump housing, the heat-set rubber grommet will no longer provide a permanent moisture-free seal. After maintenance, some service technicians simply re-attach the motor lead, not realizing an adequate seal can no longer be achieved.

We’ve seen hardened, cracked or twisted motor leads that were apparently reused either to save time or money but shortly thereafter, the pump was shipped back to our service department as faulty or with a failed motor due a to short or disintegrated connection in the motor lead chamber.

Can all equipment malfunction or failure be avoided? Not likely. But if installed and serviced correctly, EPG equipment will provide years of dependable cost-effective service.

If you have any questions about the information above,

please call EPG at 1-800-443-7426.

EPG Quick Tip - Bundling Lead Wires with Discharge Hose

Over the years, EPG has determined and promoted many "best practices" based on trials, testing, and feedback from our customers. Here's one of many tips we hope to share with you in future newsletters.

Fasten motor and sensor leads to the pumps discharge line every 5' to 7' with straps or plastic wire ties on opposite sides of the discharge line and use padding between cables and any metal straps to protect the cable jacket. Doing so helps isolate the motor lead from the sensor lead which can be susceptible to noise and interference from the power supplied to the pump. This also helps prevent tangling and bunching up of the hose and lead wires during installation.