FAQs

Turnaround depends on the type of repair, motor size, and parts availability. After evaluating your equipment, we will give you a clear timeline. For urgent situations, contact us directly and we will do everything we can to expedite.

We repair and rebuild AC and DC motors across a wide voltage range, from fractional horsepower units up to motors exceeding 10,000 HP. We service motors regardless of brand, and our repairs meet or exceed original OEM standards. Learn more about our electric motor repair services. 

Every repair starts with a complete diagnostic evaluation. Depending on what we find, services may include rewinding (form-wound or random-wound), dynamic balancing and vibration analysis, core loss testing, PdMA electrical diagnostics, and full machine shop work such as Babbitt bearings, metalizing, and shaft rebuilds. We do not guess. We test, confirm the failure mode, and then repair it correctly.

Yes. We have experience with motors across a wide range of industrial applications, including manufacturing, rail, food processing, agriculture, utilities, and more. If you have a specialized motor or an unusual configuration, talk to one of our engineers. We have seen most of it.

Yes. All repairs meet or exceed OEM and industry standards. For motor rewinds, we follow EASA AR 100 guidelines and use high-quality materials throughout. Learn more about our accreditation and process.

Our network of repair shops across Kansas and Missouri allows us to move quickly and keep work close to your facility. We also offer 24/7 emergency response for urgent situations. When every hour counts, we treat it that way.

Failures in bearings are responsible for around 60% of motor breakdowns. Whether it’s poor installation, misalignment, or lubrication mistakes, bearing failures start small but escalate quickly.

This article covers the most common bearing failure reasons, the symptoms to watch for, and how to get ahead of them before they take your equipment out of service.

It depends on what kind of noise. Electrical problems (humming, ringing, arcing) point to winding issues or insulation breakdown. Mechanical noise (grinding, knocking, scraping) usually means bearing wear or misalignment. The distinction matters because most electrical failures start as mechanical ones. A failing bearing that goes unaddressed can drop the rotor into the stator and turn a quick repair into an extensive rewind.

Learn how to interpret motor noise →

For motors 75 horsepower and above, rewinding is often more cost-effective than replacement. That threshold shifts higher as horsepower climbs. Below 75 HP, replacement usually wins on price and lead time. The exception is specialized motors that are difficult or impossible to source as new units.

Every motor that comes into our shop gets a three-part inspection within 24 hours: visual assessment, insulation resistance test, and mechanical check. That gives us what we need to recommend the right path.

Read the full decision framework →

Restacking replaces the steel laminations inside a motor’s stator when core iron testing shows the iron itself has failed. A standard rewind won’t solve the problem if the core is too far gone, because the motor won’t meet efficiency requirements no matter how well it’s rewound.

Restacking typically makes economic sense for motors above 600 horsepower, where replacement costs are high enough that rebuilding the core pays off. Below that threshold, replacement usually wins.

See when restacking makes sense vs. replacement →

We service generators across a wide range, from large industrial power generation units down to backup generators for smaller facilities. Our capabilities include complete rewinding, armature and rotor repairs, brush replacement, commutator maintenance, and dynamic balancing. Learn more about our generator repair services.

Yes. We offer preventative maintenance programs for generators to help you catch potential issues before they disrupt operations. This is particularly valuable for critical infrastructure, where backup power reliability is essential. Contact us to set up a generator maintenance program.

We offer on-site and in-shop acceptance and maintenance testing on low- and medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, relays, transfer switches, and other electrical distribution equipment. All testing is performed to NETA standards. We also perform complete circuit breaker rebuilds and retrofits. Learn more about our switchgear and circuit breaker services.

NETA (InterNational Electrical Testing Association) sets the industry standard for testing electrical equipment. Having your switchgear tested to NETA standards gives you documented, reliable evidence that your equipment is operating safely and within specification. It also helps prevent dangerous situations and extends the service life of your distribution equipment.

A retrofit replaces outdated or discontinued breaker components within your existing switchgear enclosure. Rather than purchasing an entirely new switchgear assembly (which can be extremely costly), a custom retrofit allows you to upgrade to current technology at a fraction of the replacement cost. It is a practical solution when OEM parts are no longer available or when your equipment is aging but the enclosure is still sound.

Our rail services department specializes in AC and DC traction motors, main generators and alternators, auxiliary generators, cooling fans, grid fans, and other rotating electrical equipment used in rail applications. Every repair follows EASA AR 100 guidelines and includes rigorous testing before the equipment returns to service. Learn more about our railroad services.

Every repaired component undergoes thorough inspection and testing before it leaves our shop. We repair all equipment back to original specifications. Our 24/7 emergency support also means rail operators can reach us when time-sensitive situations arise.

Yes. Independent Electric stocks rebuilt traction motors, main generators, and cooling fans ready to ship. When your equipment fails, you do not wait for yours to come back from the shop. We send you a shelf-ready unit immediately, and you send us the failed unit in return.

This is called a core exchange, sometimes referred to as a unit exchange or UTEX. It is the fastest way to get a locomotive back in service, and it is one of the things that sets Independent Electric apart regionally. There are very few shops in Kansas or Missouri capable of rebuilding railroad traction motors, let alone stocking inventory to support an exchange program. For nearby customers, same-day exchange is possible.

We also offer two alternatives depending on your situation:

1. Repair and return. You send us your unit. We repair it and send that specific unit back. You are invoiced for the work completed.
2. Outright purchase. If your core is too far gone to make repair cost-effective, you can purchase a rebuilt unit off our shelf outright with no core exchange required.

Not sure which option fits your situation? Contact our team and we will assess it with you!

Here is the process from start to finish.

1. Your equipment fails. A traction motor goes down. A main generator needs to come out. Your locomotive cannot run.

2. We ship you a rebuilt unit right away. Independent Electric maintains an inventory of rebuilt, tested, shelf-ready railroad components. We ship that unit to you so your downtime is measured in hours, not weeks. For customers in the Kansas City region, same-day delivery is often possible. For customers outside our immediate area, truck shipment gets units moving fast.

3. You send us your failed unit. The failed component you pulled out of service is called the core. You send it to us after you receive the working unit from us.

4. We evaluate and repair your core. Every incoming core goes through a thorough inspection. Baseline repair pricing covers disassembly, cleaning, component testing, and replacement of standard wear items like bearings and seals. If our evaluation turns up additional damage, such as a failed field coil or winding issues, we contact you with adder pricing before any additional work begins. No surprises.

5. The repaired core goes onto our shelf. Once repairs are complete, the core becomes part of our inventory. That rebuilt unit supports the next exchange for another customer. The cycle is what makes the program work.

A note on what we stock: Our railroad inventory focuses on the components that matter most to locomotive reliability: AC and DC traction motors, main generators, auxiliary generators, and cooling fans. All repairs follow AAR standards and EASA AR 100 guidelines.

For most short line railroads, rebuilding wins on both cost and practicality.

New traction motors are expensive, and original manufacturers like GE and EMD largely stopped producing them decades ago. The few companies still making new units charge accordingly. Meanwhile, EMD motors remain the industry standard for quality and have been rebuilt continuously since the 1950s. A quality rebuild delivers proven performance at a fraction of new-motor cost.

Contact our team to assess whether a rebuild or replacement makes sense for your unit.

Two options. Build your own spare inventory, or partner with a shop that carries one for you.

Short line railroads typically run to failure. When a traction motor goes down with no spare on hand and no partner with shelf inventory, the locomotive sits. Independent Electric stocks rebuilt traction motors and components ready to ship. We send you a working unit, you keep running, and you send us the failed unit when ready.

No spares and no partner is the expensive way to find out how few shops can actually rebuild a DC railroad traction motor! Connect with our team to ensure you have a partner on call the next time you need motor repair or a core exchange.

We work across a wide range of industries, including power generation, manufacturing, mining and aggregates, agriculture and food processing, rail transportation, pulp and paper, wastewater and fresh water treatment, and healthcare and pharmaceuticals. If your operation depends on electric motors and rotating electrical equipment, we have the experience to support you. See all our services.

Independent Electric holds EASA (Electrical Apparatus Service Association) accreditation across our locations in Kansas City, Lyons, Wichita, Springfield, and Sedalia. EASA accreditation means our shops follow strict, standardized procedures for motor repair and testing, and that your equipment is handled according to the highest industry benchmarks!

Independent Electric operates five locations across Kansas and Missouri: Kansas City, Lyons, Wichita, Springfield, and Sedalia. We serve customers throughout the Midwest, with field service capabilities extending across the region. Find a location near you.

Yes. Our field service teams travel on-site for testing, maintenance, inspections, and emergency repairs. For customers in rural or remote locations, we have significant experience providing reliable service where other shops may not reach.

Yes. We evaluate your equipment and provide a quote before proceeding with any repair work. There are no surprises.

Reliability services are proactive maintenance programs designed to catch equipment problems before they cause failures. We perform on-site electrical and vibration testing, motor diagnostics, field balancing, and alignment services. The goal is to maximize the useful life of your motors and minimize unplanned downtime. Learn more about our reliability services. 

Preventative maintenance operates on a fixed schedule: you service equipment at a set interval regardless of its current condition. Predictive maintenance uses actual equipment data to identify problems early and service only what needs attention, when it actually needs it. Independent Electric uses advanced testing equipment, including PdMA diagnostics, to monitor motor health and give you the data to make smart decisions.

Our reliability programs use PdMA testing equipment for advanced electrical diagnostics, as well as vibration analysis, dynamic balancing, and other on-site testing methods. These tools allow us to detect stator iron degradation, misalignment, imbalance, and other early-stage failure indicators before they become catastrophic.

Yes. Our field service technicians can come on-site throughout the Midwest and beyond to perform testing and develop ongoing maintenance programs tailored to your equipment and your production schedule.

Preventative maintenance runs on a schedule, regardless of motor condition. Predictive maintenance uses diagnostic tools to monitor motor health and flag problems before failure occurs.

At Independent Electric, our predictive approach uses PdMA motor testing and vibration analysis to detect early warning signs in your most critical equipment. The goal is to catch issues on your timeline, during planned maintenance windows, rather than at 2 a.m. when a motor goes down without warning.

How to build your motor maintenance plan →

Start with one question: if this motor fails right now, what happens? Motors that stop production entirely are critical and deserve the most protection. Motors with backup systems or workarounds fall in the middle. Motors that are cheap to replace and won’t disrupt operations can run to failure without much risk.

That tiering is the foundation of a smart maintenance plan. Everything else follows from there.

Read how to evaluate and protect your motor assets →

We provide OSHA inspections, troubleshooting, repair, and installation for hoists, cranes, and other lifting devices, regardless of make or model. We also offer load testing capabilities and handle both mechanical and electrical components. Learn more about our hoist and crane services.

Yes. We supply new and used hoists, cranes, and related industrial components. Our team can also customize equipment to fit your specific operational requirements, including modifications for compliance, efficiency, or specialized use cases. 

Yes. Our technicians are trained in OSHA compliance requirements for lifting equipment and perform inspections to those standards. Schedule an inspection.