A state of the art motor testing facility has been built at Oregon State University. This is the largest independent testing laboratory of its type in the western United States. The construction was funded by a consortium of industrial sponsors, with a goal of becoming financially self-sufficient by charging the users for the services provided. An operating philosophy has been developed which attempts to meet the diverse needs of all parties involved including the University, the industrial sponsors and the customers desiring either research or standardized testing services. To meet these needs a business plan was developed along with an efficient, yet flexible, process for safely testing equipment. Safe operation of the laboratory is a prime consideration and has been addressed through system design and procedural safeguards. Unlike installations of similar equipment in industrial applications, this facility must accommodate a wide variety of motors and drives in temporary configurations without unduly hindering the testing process. Also, unlike many university based research projects this laboratory has the capability of delivering high power levels which can result in potentially dangerous situations if adequate safety precautions are not taken. All of these objectives have been met and the laboratory is now in operation. As the volume of testing increases, further issues will be raised and addressed within the flexible operating structure which has been established. / Graduation date: 1997