Why Does a Range Hood Motor Stop Turning?

Kitchen fumes are heavy, so the range hood must keep running. If the motor stops, what is wrong? CHINENG lists common causes.

Why the range hood motor will not turn

1. Hood motors are not very high-powered and rarely burn out. If the capacitor tests normal, long service with grease locking the rotor (bearing) is the most likely cause.

2. A humming motor that will not start usually means reduced capacitance or a shorted capacitor. Check for burn marks on the capacitor and replace it with the same type.

3. If the impeller spins freely by hand, lubrication is not the issue; consider the motor itself (often good for about eight years). Heat plus only a brief spin often indicates turn-to-turn shorting—replace the motor.

4. A grease-locked rotor also overheats and can burn the motor. Spin the impeller by hand; if it is stiff, open the motor, oil the shaft, and work the impeller until the bearing turns freely.

Those are common reasons a hood motor stops. Follow the CHINENG website for commercial kitchen engineering, equipment packages, and redesign services.