Motor Rewinding Basics: A Beginners Guide
Learn the fundamental concepts of electric motor rewinding and wire selection.
Motor rewinding is both an art and an exact science. When a motor burns out due to overloading, short-circuiting, or insulation failure, the internal copper wire coils must be completely replaced. This process is called rewinding.
The first step in any rewinding job is carefully dismantling the motor and recording the winding data. You must note the number of slots, the pitch, the number of turns per coil, and most importantly, the exact wire gauge used by the original manufacturer.
Using the correct wire gauge is non-negotiable. If you use wire that is too thin, the motor will have a higher electrical resistance, leading to excessive heat and a rapid secondary failure. This is why professionals rely on SWG (Standard Wire Gauge) or AWG (American Wire Gauge) measurements with absolute precision.