Abstract: The present invention relates to fault detection in a large population of motors of a common motor type. Initially, a plurality of motors of a common motor type is tested to obtain a first residual based on selected measured operating parameters. A second residual is then developed for each individual motor comprising the plurality of motors. If the difference between the first and second residuals exceeds a selected threshold, the motor generating the second residual is defective and removed from the plurality of motors and the threshold is adjusted to reflect the removal of the defective motor from the plurality of motors. The first residual may be used to monitor the operation of motors not included in the original plurality of motors to detect impending failure.