How to Check the Resistance on a Three-Phase Motor

Meggers can produce the voltage necessary to test three-phase motors.

For commercial and industrial purposes, however, the ohmmeter is insufficient. Instead, a megohmmeter, or megger, is used because it can produce the necessary voltage needed to properly travel through the large cables used in commercial and industrial installations. Testing a three-phase motor is quite simple, which means that you can perform this procedure yourself. However, because of the ever present danger of electrical shock, it is advised that you observe strict safety protocols.

1. Turn off the main breaker to cut off power to the circuit you are testing. Lock the breaker with a padlock as a safety precaution.

2. Remove the circuit from the motor using a flathead screwdriver.

3. Test the circuit and motor by placing one megger lead to any of the wires. Touch the other lead to the grounding screw on the motor. Turn the handle and look for a reading between 20 and 30 megohms.

4. Continue testing by placing one megger lead on a wire and the other lead on a motor winding until you have gone through each wire and winding. Readings between 20 and 30 megohms are normal.