When voltmeter leads are placed on L1 and T1 of a running motor and no measurable voltage is detected, what does this indicate?

The detection of no measurable voltage between the leads placed on L1 and T1 of a running motor is indicative of a winding failure. In a functional motor, there should be a voltage present across the motor windings, as this voltage is necessary for the motor to operate effectively. If the voltmeter shows no voltage, it suggests that there may be an open circuit or a direct failure within the windings, preventing electrical current from flowing properly through them.

This situation could stem from various issues, such as broken or burnt windings, which would render the motor inoperative. It is essential to establish that the windings are intact because the absence of voltage directly reflects a critical failure that needs to be addressed in order to restore functional operation of the motor.

In this context, other scenarios like a short circuit or power supply issues would typically lead to other measurable electrical phenomena, such as unusually low resistance or a complete lack of power supply, which would still present some voltage readings under specific conditions. Good, clean contacts would imply that the motor is functioning and there is a proper connection between the voltmeter and the circuit, which would not correspond with an absence of voltage. Thus, the scenario points directly towards a winding failure when voltage readings are absent