Chicago, Ill.—Two initiatives for energy-efficient electric motors were launched June 25 at the Electrical Apparatus Service Association's (EASA) annual convention and exhibition at McCormick Place in Chicago. These programs are timely due to recent electricity supply problems and increasing power costs.

The first program, "NEMA Premium," by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA, Rosslyn, Va.) provides vides a consistent specification of premium-efficiency motors not previously available. This specification was derived through a consensus of manufacturers. NEMA says its members represent over 80% of U.S. electric motor production and sales.

The voluntary NEMA Premium Efficiency Electric Motor Program expands greatly on EPAct 92 federal regulations, effective since October 1997. Efficiencies specified are typically 1-2% above EPAct. NEMA Premium covers general-purpose induction motors up to 500 hp, including medium-voltage units, plus definite- and special-purpose motors in the 1-200 hp range.

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE, Boston, Mass.) is a co-promoter of the program. It has aligned its premium-efficiency motor specifications with NEMA's.

The second program, "Motor Decisions Matter" (MDM), is a national campaign that gives commercial and industrial customers tools to develop an overall management plan for motors. This effort is sponsored by 18 motor/generator manufacturers and service centers, utilities, government agencies, and trade associations, including CEE, EASA, and NEMA.

MDM uses life-cycle costing methods to determine whether motors should be repaired or replaced before they fail, and when to install energy-efficient motors. MDM has the twin goals of raising customer awareness for these motors and promoting their use in appropriate applications.

"Without a plan, quick, price-dependent and panic-based decisions determine motor replacement," says Linda Raynes, Electrical Apparatus Service Association president and ceo. EASA (St.Louis, Mo.) is an international trade organization of nearly 2,400 electromechanical sales and services firms in 56 countries.

For more information, visit www.nema.org, www.ceeformt.org, www.easa.com, www.motorsmatter.org, or www.controleng.com/freeinfo.