As stated above there are a variety of espresso machine pump motors available all with their own unique features. These features mainly depend on which brand the pump motor is used for.
The manufacturers of espresso machine motors isn’t that big. The motors mainly used on espresso machines are made by the Italian company RPM. But there are also other brands of manufacturers such as Ulka. Sisme, SMA, Elettromeccanica Ing. F. Arduini from Milano and the Chinese made IPC motors.
Capacitor
These types of pump motor are solely single phase, to start the motor you require a start capacitor for this purpose. In most cases they are fitted with a bracket to the motor of the espresso machine or located close to the motor. In this case it does depend if you have a 110V or a 230V, seen the capacity of a starting capacitor needs to be higher for a 110V motor then for a 230V model.
Flange
The most common method to connect the pump to the motor is done with a stainless steel clamp. This clamp clamps the flange of the motor against the flange of the pump.
The other type is a bolt on flange. This type uses, depending on the pump, 2 or 3 bolts to attach the pump to the flange of the pump motor. This type of flange is only used on brands of the Gruppo Cimbali, so you will find this type on brands such as Cimbali, Faema and Casadio.
For this type of flange various manufacturers of motors make versions, such as RPM, SMA and Elettromeccanica Ing. F. Arduini.
Motor shaft
The most common motor shaft used on pump motors for espresso machines is the version which receives a straight rectangular shaft. The motors used on the espresso machines of the Cimbali group use a different system. With this brand you can’t connect the pump directly to the motor, you do require a coupling set for that. But be aware that those come in 2 different sizes, the biggest one is the most common one. The small size is only used in combination with the motors of Elettromeccanica Ing. F. Arduini
Motor cooling
Not every brand does have a motor cooling feature. There are 2 types, air and water cooled. The air cooled motors are the most common of the cooling type. Most pump motors don’t have a special fan for motor cooling.
The water cooled pump motor is solely used on Astoria CMA espresso machines, so you will find them on Astoria and Wega espresso machines. These motors have a copper tube wrapped around them, for this purpose the water coming into the espresso machine is used. This motor is also made by the Italian company RPM, it is available in a 110 and a 230V version.
Troubleshooting the motor of a espresso machine pump
The motor in my espresso machine doesn’t start anymore.
The first thing is use a multi meter to check if your have power going to wards the motor. If that is the case, measure the capacitor of the motor. In most cases this is the issue that your motor won’t start. Replace it with a capacitor with the same specifications.
The motor makes a loud noise when it is running.
In most cases this is caused by the bearings. They are located at the front and the back of the motor shaft. In most cases these are sealed bearings, so they have grease already inside. So regreasing won’t be a option. You can replace the bearings or replace the entire motor.
