News · Mikołaj Skubina · 06.05.2026
A drive initial inspection is the first technical check carried out after installation and before the system enters normal operation. In practice it is a combination of the technical acceptance of the drive, the post-installation check and verification that the geared motor, motor, brake and any frequency inverter are prepared for a safe start.
In production plants this stage is sometimes skipped, because the line "is standing ready" and time pressure is high. That is a mistake. Manufacturer NORD states directly that after installation and before commissioning the required preparatory activities must be carried out, and that the breather must be activated after installation and before starting.
What a drive initial inspection is
A geared motor initial inspection is not an ordinary "glance" at a new machine. It is an organised technical check intended to confirm that the drive has been installed in accordance with the documentation, has the correct mechanical and electrical configuration and can safely enter a trial start and subsequent operation.
This is particularly important for systems with a geared motor, brake or frequency inverter. NORD states that during commissioning it is necessary to verify, among other things, the frequency inverter parameter settings, the compliance of motor data with the name plate, brake operation, direction of rotation, vibration level and unusual noises.
In SPEC SERWIS materials, initial inspections are indicated directly as a service performed at the customer's site, alongside the assessment of geared motor condition, reading of frequency inverter parameters, thermal imaging camera checks and endoscopic checks. This shows well that the post-installation check should cover not only the gear unit itself, but the entire drive system.
When should a post-installation inspection be carried out
A post-installation inspection is worth carrying out always after building a new line, replacing a drive, modernising a station or changing the system configuration. In practice it is particularly necessary when the installation position of the geared motor has been changed, a frequency inverter has been added, a brake has been fitted, or a drive is returning to service after longer storage.
NORD warns that operating a drive in a mounting version other than the one ordered can lead to damage. When the version is changed, it is necessary to adjust, among other things, the oil quantity, the position of the level check points and the position of the breather.
An additional initial inspection is also justified after a long stoppage. Siemens recommends checking the insulation resistance before commissioning and after longer periods of storage or non-use, because moisture and contamination can lower its value.
If the system works with a frequency inverter, the technical acceptance of the drive should also cover the electronic part. In its commissioning services NORD indicates checking the electrical installation, verifying frequency inverter parameters, supporting drive tests and making a backup of parameter data via NORDCON.
Which elements are checked during the inspection
During an initial inspection it is not a single point that is checked, but the whole chain of dependencies between installation, electrics and starting. The most important areas of the check are:
- the drive's installation position, compliance of the version with the name plate and activation of the breather before commissioning; an incorrect mounting version may require changing the oil quantity and the breather position.
- drive mounting, the condition of the foundation and any alignment of the system with the driven machine; NORD recommends checking the mounting and, where a coupling is used, also checking the alignment, while SKF indicates that misalignment increases noise, vibration, bearing wear and unplanned downtime.
- electrical connections, supply voltage, protection devices and compliance of the motor connection with the name plate data; these are the basic points in a situation where the motor does not start, draws too much current or runs only briefly.
- brake operation, including supply voltage, rectifier, coil resistance, air gap and lining wear.
- frequency inverter settings and compliance of motor parameters with the name plate; NORD emphasises that in the case of vibration, noise, short starts or overcurrent errors, one should start by verifying the inverter parameters and motor data.
- the condition of the motor insulation after a stoppage or storage; before the measurement the power circuit cables should be disconnected, and the check itself should be carried out by qualified personnel.
Such a scope makes the post-installation check a real safety filter before the first start. It is usually at this stage that inconspicuous errors come to light, which would later manifest as heating, oil leakage, overload, protection tripping or unstable operation under load.
Typical drive installation errors
One of the most common errors is neglecting installation position compliance. In gear drives this is not a detail, but a parameter affecting lubrication, venting and operating temperature. If the drive operates in a position other than intended, the risk of oil leakage and damage increases.
The second frequent problem is failure to activate the breather. NORD emphasises that the breather must be activated after installation and before commissioning. Skipping this step can result in incorrect operation of the lubrication system and a pressure rise in the gear unit.
Errors also appear on the electrical side. These include poorly made connections on the terminal board, inconsistency of frequency inverter parameters with the motor name plate, an incorrect direction of rotation in drives with a back stop, or too low an operating frequency causing motor cooling problems.
A separate group consists of mechanical errors: misalignment at the coupling, insufficient mounting, installation stresses and ignoring the first symptoms in the form of noise and vibration. SKF describes misalignment as one of the most important and most avoidable causes of premature machine failures.
How to prepare a drive for its first start
The first start should be preceded by a short but organised checklist. First, the system must be secured against unintended starting, the covers required for proper cooling-air guidance must be fitted, and access to live parts and rotating elements must be prevented. Such manufacturer recommendations are not a formality, but the basis of safe commissioning.
Next, the compliance of the electrical connections, supply voltage, protection devices and motor data should be confirmed. If the drive works with a frequency inverter, the motor parameters, ramps, enable signals, direction of rotation and drive readiness for a trial start must be checked. NORDCON is used precisely for parameterisation, monitoring, fault diagnosis and backing up settings.
If the motor has been stored for a long time or the installation has been idle, a good standard is measuring the insulation resistance before starting. Siemens recommends carrying out such a check before commissioning and after long non-use, observing safety procedures and disconnecting the power cables.
Only after these steps is it worth moving on to a trial start and observing the drive's behaviour. As SPEC SERWIS, we recommend paying attention to unusual noise, vibration, current draw, brake operation and operating temperature, because it is in the first minutes that installation or parameterisation errors are easiest to catch.
How to avoid problems after installation
The most effective method is simple: do not treat the first start as a "live" test at full load. First the post-installation check, then a trial start, and only then normal production. This scheme reduces the risk of brake failure, overheating, oil leakage and frequency inverter problems.
It is also worth documenting the drive's baseline condition. Useful items include records of frequency inverter parameters, temperature observation, vibration checks and a quick verification of tightness and mounting after the first hours of operation. This approach shortens fault diagnosis if deviations appear later.
From the plant's perspective, a geared motor initial inspection is cheaper than even a short unplanned stoppage. That is why SPEC SERWIS is worth treating as consulting support during the technical acceptance of the drive, verification of the installation, reading of parameters and contact with NORD.
FAQs
Below you will find short answers to the questions that most often arise during the technical acceptance of a drive.
Is an initial inspection also needed for a new geared motor?
Yes, because a new drive does not guarantee correct installation in a specific machine. The post-installation check confirms compliance of the version, electrical connections, parameters and the conditions of the first start.
Does an additional check need to be carried out after changing the installation position?
Yes. NORD indicates that changing the mounting version requires adjustment of, among other things, the oil quantity, the position of level check points and the breather, and an incorrect version can lead to drive damage.
Does the technical acceptance of a drive also cover the frequency inverter?
It should, if the inverter is part of the system. In practice, the electrical installation, motor parameters, frequency inverter settings, enable signals, trial starts and parameter backup are checked.
When should the motor insulation resistance be measured?
Above all, before commissioning after long storage or a stoppage. Such a check is recommended by motor manufacturers' manuals, because moisture and contamination can lower the insulation level.
Which symptoms after starting most often indicate an installation error?
Most often these are unusual noise, elevated vibration, excessive current draw, overheating, incorrect brake operation or frequency inverter errors. Such symptoms should prompt a repeat check of mounting, alignment, parameters and connections.