Free electric motor quarterly service checklist
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A step-by-step quarterly service procedure for industrial AC induction motors. Covers bearing temperature and vibration measurement, running amps across all three phases, terminal box inspection, cooling fan check, frame and mounting bolt inspection, bearing lubrication, motor alignment and coupling check, VFD/soft starter inspection and cable gland inspection. Includes lubrication specifications, parts list and technician sign-off. This page explains what the service involves, how to perform it, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download straight away.
Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Fill equipment details and motor nameplate data, then work through each service action. Record all measurements for trend comparison. Tick Done as each task is completed. Set the next service due date and sign off.
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See the first part of the service procedure below. Enter your email above to download the full electric motor quarterly service procedure (PDF-ready).
What is an electric motor quarterly service?
A quarterly service is the baseline tier of scheduled preventive maintenance for an industrial AC induction motor. It is performed every three months and focuses on condition monitoring and lubrication. The procedure covers bearing temperature measurement, vibration velocity measurement at both bearings, running current measurement across all three phases, terminal box inspection, cooling system check, frame and mounting bolt inspection, bearing lubrication with the correct grease type and quantity, motor alignment and coupling inspection, VFD or soft starter check (if fitted) and cable gland inspection. All readings are recorded to build a trend history that helps predict failures before they occur. The quarterly service is typically performed by an electrician or maintenance technician with the motor running under normal load.
Benefits of scheduled electric motor servicing
- Early fault detection: trending bearing temperature and vibration data over multiple quarterly services reveals developing faults weeks or months before failure.
- Extended bearing life: correct lubrication at the right intervals prevents premature bearing failure, which accounts for the majority of electric motor breakdowns.
- Reduced unplanned downtime: catching electrical imbalance, loose connections or cooling problems early avoids sudden motor failure during production.
- Energy efficiency: motors with correct alignment, clean cooling and balanced electrical supply run more efficiently, reducing energy costs.
- Compliance: documented service records demonstrate that critical equipment is maintained to WHS and insurance standards.
- Lower replacement costs: a well-maintained motor can last 20 years or more. Neglected motors may fail in 3-5 years.
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Book a demo to see digital service procedures and condition-based scheduling in MapTrack.
Service actions included in the quarterly procedure
This service procedure covers 16 service actions across 6 system areas:
- Bearings: check bearing temperature (drive end and non-drive end), measure vibration velocity (mm/s, both bearings), lubricate bearings with specified grease type and quantity.
- Electrical: measure running amps (all 3 phases, check balance), inspect terminal box for tight connections and heat discolouration, inspect cable entries and glands.
- Cooling: check cooling fan operation and airflow, clear any obstructions.
- Mechanical: inspect frame and mounting bolts, check motor alignment to driven equipment, inspect coupling condition.
- VFD / Controls: check VFD or soft starter (if fitted) including fault log, cooling fan and capacitors.
- Data recording: record all measurements for trend comparison against previous services.
Lubrication specifications
General lubrication specifications for industrial AC induction motors. Grease type and quantity vary by motor size, bearing type and manufacturer.
| System | Type / Grade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bearing grease | EP2 or polyurea per manufacturer spec | Specified quantity per bearing |
Do not mix grease types. Always refer to the manufacturer's service manual for the correct grease type and quantity for your specific motor and bearing size.
Parts and equipment
Have the following parts and equipment ready before starting the quarterly service:
- Bearing grease (EP2 or polyurea per manufacturer spec)
- Vibration meter / analyser
- Clamp meter (true RMS)
- IR thermometer / pyrometer
- Rags and compressed air
Check the motor nameplate and service manual for the correct grease type and quantity before starting.
How to perform an electric motor quarterly service
- Confirm the motor is running under normal load. Record equipment details and nameplate data at the top of the service procedure form.
- Measure bearing temperatures at both drive end and non-drive end using an IR thermometer. Record readings and compare to previous values.
- Measure vibration velocity (mm/s) at both bearings. Record readings for trend analysis. Flag any readings above baseline.
- Measure running amps on all three phases using a clamp meter. Check phase balance (imbalance should not exceed 3-5%).
- Inspect the terminal box: check that all connections are tight and look for heat discolouration. Inspect cable entries and glands.
- Check cooling fan operation and airflow. Clear any obstructions from the fan guard and motor fins.
- Inspect frame and mounting bolts for tightness and cracks. Check motor alignment to driven equipment and inspect coupling condition.
- Isolate the motor and lubricate bearings with the correct grease type and quantity per manufacturer specification.
- If a VFD or soft starter is fitted, check the fault log, cooling fan and capacitors.
- Record all data for trend comparison. Set the next service due date and sign off.
In MapTrack, you can schedule services by calendar date, complete service procedures on mobile and link every record to the motor. Book a demo to see how.
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Back to download formElectric motor service interval hierarchy
Electric motor maintenance follows a tiered schedule where the annual service includes all tasks from the quarterly service. This is called carry-forward or cumulative servicing.
Quarterly service (you are here)
Bearing temps, vibration, running amps, lubrication, coupling, VFD check. Estimated 1-1.5 hours.
All quarterly tasks plus insulation resistance test, vibration spectrum analysis (FFT), bearing replacement (if due), winding cleaning, thermal imaging and cable termination inspection. Estimated 3-5 hours.
In MapTrack, you can configure service schedules by calendar date and receive automatic alerts when each interval is due.
Frequently asked questions
- What is included in an electric motor quarterly service?
- A quarterly electric motor service includes checking bearing temperatures at both drive end and non-drive end, measuring vibration velocity (mm/s) at both bearings, measuring running amps across all three phases and checking balance, inspecting the terminal box for tight connections and heat discolouration, checking cooling fan operation and clearing obstructions, inspecting frame and mounting bolts, lubricating bearings with the correct grease type and quantity, checking motor alignment and coupling condition, inspecting cable entries and glands, and checking the VFD or soft starter if fitted. All readings are recorded for trend comparison. It takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
- How often should an electric motor be serviced?
- Industrial AC induction motors should receive a quarterly service covering bearing lubrication, vibration and temperature measurements, electrical checks and visual inspections. An annual service adds insulation resistance testing (megger), vibration spectrum analysis (FFT), thermal imaging, winding cleaning and bearing replacement if indicated by condition monitoring. Critical motors in continuous operation may need monthly vibration monitoring. Always follow the manufacturer service schedule for your specific motor.
- What grease should I use for electric motor bearings?
- Most electric motor manufacturers specify EP2 lithium complex grease or polyurea grease. The grease type and quantity per bearing are specified in the motor service manual. Do not mix grease types, as incompatible greases can break down and cause bearing failure. Over-greasing is as harmful as under-greasing. Use the exact quantity specified for each bearing size.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the electric motor quarterly service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each motor with scheduling, condition monitoring and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.
Need digital service procedures for your motor fleet?
Register every motor in MapTrack. Set up quarterly and annual service schedules, complete procedures on mobile, track condition data over time, and get automatic alerts when the next service is due.