| |
 To
make the water system professional’s job just a little easier,
Franklin Electric introduces a new troubleshooting tool for QD Control
Boxes. QD, of course, is short for “Quick Disconnect”, and
the QD Control Box offers the benefit of quickly and easily removing
the components in the box.
For systems that use the QD Control Box, this new diagnostic tool,
called the QD Service Box, allows easy measurement of motor voltage
and current while the motor is operating.
Measuring the amount of current between the Control Box and the motor
is important and helpful because it indicates how “hard”
the motor is working. As a general rule, the motor current should
never exceed Service Factor Max Amps (SFMA). If SFMA is exceeded,
this is an indication that the motor is overloaded. This could be
caused by several factors, including operating the system at open
discharge, or on the far right side of the pump curve. If the current
to the motor is much lower than expected, this indicates the motor
is underloaded. Although this doesn’t always cause a problem
for the motor, it may indicate a problem somewhere in the water system,
such as a plugged intake or screen. Values for Service Factor Max
Amps for all Franklin submersible motors can be found in the Franklin
AIM
Manual.
As you know, in the case of a 3-wire motor, there are 3 power leads
from the Control Box to the motor (red, yellow, black) plus a green
ground wire. When troubleshooting, the motor current should be measured
in each motor lead. In some cases, the leads from the Control Box
to the motor will be in conduit, or otherwise difficult to access.
This is where the QD Service Box will come in handy. |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
To use the Service Box,
disconnect power, then remove the QD Control Box cover.
|
|
Attach the QD Service
Box in place of the original QD Control Box lid
|
|
Now, attach the original
QD Control Box cover “on top” of the QD Service
Box. To ensure proper grounding, both cover screws must be
in place and tight.
|
|
| |
| With the QD Service
Box in place, you can reconnect power and now easily measure current
in all 3 motor leads. As mentioned above, correct values can be found
in the Franklin AIM
Manual. In addition, 2 jacks at the bottom of the QD Service Box
accept voltmeter probes so that voltage can be measured while the
motor is operating. |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
When measurements are complete, disconnect power before
removing either the control box cover or the QD Service Box. Remove
the QD Service Box and reattach the QD Control Box lid.
Contractors that have tested this product have had positive comments.
It provides a handy method for thoroughly and accurately checking
the motor’s vital signs.
The QD Service Box can be ordered from Franklin Electric’s
website via a major credit card for $25 (plus shipping charges).
The website address is www.franklin-electric.com
As always, if you have any questions, refer to Franklin Electric’s
AIM
Manual, call our Service Hotline at 800/348-2420, or email from the website.
| GETTING
TO KNOW YOUR SERVICE HOTLINE TEAM: Rick Campbell |
 |
On May 30th, Franklin Electric celebrated Rick Campbell’s
25th year with the organization. Rick is a Headquarters Service
Engineer, otherwise known as a Hotline Engineer, a position
he has held for 12 years. Rick's first 13 years with Franklin
were in Engineering Drafting. Rick says in hindsight that
turned out to be a really good way to get to know and understand
Franklin’s products. Of course, things have changed a
lot since then, but it still gives him a “leg up.”
Although Rick started working at Franklin Electric 25 years
ago, he learned about Franklin at a young age. Rick’s
dad, Bill Campbell, retired from Franklin Electric, and Rick
grew up a few blocks away from Franklin’s corporate headquarters
in Bluffton.
Rick still lives in Bluffton, along with his wife Susan and
their 3 children. Rick, Susan, and family have been very active
in various aspects of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts for many
years and Rick has coached just about every sport you can
think of. Most people think he coaches for the kids, but Rick
says he can’t see as well as he used to, and just wants
a good seat at the games.
Will Rick be with Franklin Electric 25 more years? We certainly
hope so!
|
|
| |
|
|
