What is a Normal and Low Influence RIC

In motor testing, the Rotor Influence Check, or RIC as we have come to call it, is one of the tests applied in motor acceptance as well as route-based inspections. It often is used as a troubleshooting method for correlating or identifying failure modes discovered during route-based inspections. It can be performed on induction motors, synchronous and wound rotor motors. It provides us with data to determine stator and rotor faults as well as the ability to determine conditions that may affect the air gap between the rotor and stator.  It is one of those tests that we love to hate.

Be Proactive with your Roof Maintenance

The average lifespan of a low-slope roof in the United States is about ten years, yet it should be 20 to 30 years. Why such a discrepancy? While there are more than a few factors that subtract years from the lifespan of a roof, lack of maintenance is the easiest to prevent and the most ignored aspect. Even though a low-slope roof is typically the most expensive part of a new building, it often gets neglected. Roofs, for the most part, are out of sight, out of mind. Most people do not bother with the roof until there’s a problem and by then it’s too late.

Nancy Maheu

Program Manager

Nancy graduated from Husson College with a Paralegal degree.  She worked for several years as an office manager and VP of a real estate title company in Bangor, Maine. She then turned her efforts to raise her two boys.  During this time, she would volunteer at her children’s school on an almost daily basis.  Nancy is very organized and detail oriented and always smiling, cheerful and helpful. Nancy lives in Maine with her husband, two boys and yellow lab, Tater.  During her free time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, and watching her kids sporting events. 

Darren Bittick

Instructor & Consultant

Darren joined The Snell Group in 2023, and is qualified to Snell Infrared Level 2 Thermography in accordance with ASNT SNT-TC-1A.

Predictive maintenance and peer education have been at the core of Darren’s reliability engineering career over the past 29 years.  He has worked both as a direct employee of Fortune 500 companies as well as a consultant.   Post- secondary education and previous qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals CMRP, 6-Sigma Greenbelt, API Process Piping Inspector, Level 3 Vibration Analyst, RDI Level 1 Motion Amplification, ICML Level 2 Machinery Lubrication Analyst, and several certifications in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies.

In the course of his career Darren has been fortunate to work alongside many Reliability giants, such as Charles Latino (RCI), Neville Sachs, P.E. (SS&A), Christer Idhammar (IDCON), Ross MacKay (MacKay Associates, Ltd.), Jim Berry, P.E. (TA) and Davis Le (Vibratechnica).  Darren believes that knowledge and wisdom far exceed the value of any specific tool or technology.

Darren presents several courses, including Level 1—Thermographic Applications, Machinery Monitoring and Diagnostics, and Failure Analysis.

Darren enjoys spending his free time with his wife Shanda and granddaughter.  They can be found exploring the country in their RV, poking about waterways in a boat, or simply enjoying time in their church family and community.

The Condition “Wind-Forced Air Leakage”, How Does it Work?

One of the best things about Spring each year is the feeling of renewal. Dormant trees begin to bloom, the grass goes from sadly brown to fresh, healthy-looking green. The weather warms up, which is more of a blessing in some parts of the country than others. Along with that warming though we sometimes get conditions that are less than pleasant, like storms.

Motor Storage - An Aspect of Reliability to be Considered

Electric motors are some of the most efficient devices on the planet. Given 100% energy they can be upwards of 96% efficient.  Motors consume 60% - 90 % of the energy at industrial facilities and many facilities painstakingly conduct extensive precision maintenance practices  and testing to ensure maximum longevity of their motors. Some of the best programs that we have witnessed over the years share a common shortcoming, proper care of their spare motors.

Preston Maheu, P.E.

President

Preston is the company’s President.  Originally the Reliability Engineering Manager for The Snell Group’s parent company, Applied Technical Services, LLC (ATS).  He was instrumental with growing the ATS Reliability Services Division.  He is a licensed Professional Engineer for multiple states and holds a Certified Maintenance Reliability Certificate (CMRP) through the Society of Maintenance Reliability Professionals.

Preston is a graduate of the University of Maine, beginning his career in the pulp and paper industry. He has 26 years of experience holding various engineering and management positions with a focus on improving reliability.  Along with focusing on the firm’s business development and success, he continues to be the lead instructor for the Practical Plant Failure Analysis (PPFA) class originally developed by Mr. Neville W. Sachs, P.E.. Preston presents Machinery Monitoring and Diagnostics, Failure Analysis and tailored precision maintenance classes for our clients.

Preston and his family reside in Maine. He enjoys fishing, hunting, snowboarding, and watching his boys compete in athletics.