Page 342 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

Troubleshooting Compressor Problems 32,7

Troubleshooting Guide for V-belt Drives
What Happened Probable What to Do
Short belt life Spin burns from belt Tension belts
slipping on driver sheave
under stalled load
conditions or when starting
Gouges or extreme cover Eliminate obstruction or
wear caused by belts realign drive to provide
PROPER DRIVE TENSION rubbing on drive guards or clearance
other objects
High ambient temperature Use high-temperature
belts; provide ventilation;
shield belts
Grease or oil on belts Check for leaky bearings;
clean belts and sheaves
Worn sheaves Replace sheaves
Belts turn over in Damaged cord section in Replace belts
grooves belts; frayed or gouged belts
Excessive vibration Tension belts; replace
belts if damaged
Flat idler pulley misaligned Realign idler
Worn sheaves Replace sheaves
OVERTENSIONED DRIVE Sheave misalignment Realign drive
Belt squeal High starting load; belts Tension drive or redesign
not tensioned properly; and replace drive
excessive overload
Insufficient arc of contact Increase center distance
or use notched belts
Belt breakage Foreign material in drive Provide drive guard
Belts damaged during Follow installation
installation instructions
Shock or extreme overload Eliminate overload cause
or redesign drive
Belt stretch beyond Worn sheaves Replace sheaves
takeup Underdesigned drive Redesign and replace drive
Takeup slipped Reposition takeup
Drive excessively Properly tension drive
UNDERTENSIOMEO DRIVE
tensioned
Damaged cord section Replace belts and
during installation properly install
Excess vibration Damaged belt cord section Replace blets
Loose belts Tension drive
Belts improperly tensioned Tension drive with slack of
each belt on the same side
of the drive
Beits too long at Insufficient takeup Use shorter belts
installation
Drive improperly set up Recheck driver and driven
machine set up
Wrong size belts Use correct size belts
Belts too short at Insufficient takeup Use longer belts
installation
Drive improperly set up Recheck driver and driven
machine set up
Wrong size belts Use correct size belts
FIGURE 5-2. Guide for troubleshooting V-belts. (Source: Plant Engineering,
July 18, 1991).