If your facility or organization deals with petroleum exploration, draws water from an underground well or handles urban wastewater, one of the most important things is a submersible pump. These are pumps that work when fully submerged in water. Like other types of pumps, submersible pumps require a source of torque, which is a submersible motor in this case. This post takes a closer look at submersible motors to determine how they work. 

A Deeper Look at Submersible Motors

As the name suggests, submersible pumps are designed to operate when completely covered in water or liquid. To make them more effective, they are hermetically sealed and close-coupled to submersible pumps, meaning that they appear as a ‌unit. Therefore, when you place an order for a submersible pump, it is likely to come complete with an attached submersible motor. However, each of them can also be purchased separately for repairs and replacement. 

The motor has long cables that run all the way to the mains for power supply and control. The design of the pump includes a firm seal that helps to keep water from getting into the motor and other parts. This is crucial because water can result in corrosion and damage if it gets into the inner parts of the motor. 

The main advantage of submersible motors is that they require very little maintenance because they are always submerged deep in the water well, oil well or wastewater facility. However, this also makes it a major challenge because diagnosis and repairs, when necessary, can be complex. Unlike other motors that are easy to access, disassemble, and fix the damaged part, submersible motors must be removed from the well. 

How to Select the Best Submersible Motors

The following are expert tips that you can use to identify the best submersible motor for your pumps.

• Look for the Motor Made to Work in Your Situation 

Although most submersible motors might look similar, they are designed to work in different environments. For example, a submersible motor designed to pump water from a well will be different from another model made for operation in oil wells. Therefore, make sure to understand the working conditions of your motor and pump to be able to identify the best model. 

• Select the Motor Designed for Your Submersible Pump 

This is the easiest yet most effective method of identifying the right submersible motor. When designing submersible pumps, manufacturers recommend specific motors for optimal performance. For example, what is the insulation class of the recommended motor? What about the immersion limit? If you want to buy the motor for replacement from a manufacturer other than the OEM, make sure to follow the specifications provided on the pump or motor. 

• Emphasis Durability and Long Lifespan

To get high value for money, it is important to only select motors with a longer lifespan. You can know this by purchasing the motors only from top brands and ensuring they come with a binding warranty. You might also want to read past customer reviews about the motors to understand their experience. If previous users were satisfied with a specific submersible motor, it might be a worthy consideration, but ensure to carry further due diligence to determine if it is also suitable for your situation. 

Submersible motors and pumps make it possible to pump liquids, such as water and oil, from wells. Because they are always submerged in water, it is a good idea to ensure you go for the best model. Further, make sure they are installed well and maintained in line with the manufacturer's recommendations for good performance.