Motors: Baldor anticipates IE3 standard

Although Europe's IE3 minimum efficiency standard for new electric motors doesn't take effect until 2015, Baldor already has range of IEC frame types that it's making alongside its NEMA Premium motors for U.S. markets.

By Renee Robbins August 12, 2009

Baldor is anticipating the new IE3 minimum efficiency standard for new electric motors with its IEC frame range. The IE3 standard will become part of Europe’s mandatory requirements in 2015 and is effectively the same as the USA’s NEMA Premium standard.

The new IE3 minimum efficiency standard for new electric motors that will become part of Europe’s mandatory requirements starting in 2015 is available in Baldor’s range. The company has therefore, developed a very broad range of super-efficient IEC frame types alongside its NEMA Premium motors for domestic American markets. "The capital cost of a motor destined for continuous or sustained use is dwarfed by its lifetime electricity operating costs," said Baldor’s Robin Cowley. "Mandatory minimum efficiency standards for motors sold into Europe will start to apply in 2011 – and become much higher again from 2015 onwards. Sooner or later all motor users are going to have to transition to higher efficiency and it makes sense to start building this requirement into plans now, for new equipment projects, and wherever motors are likely to be refurbished or replaced.

"In some EU countries, there are also tax incentives when installing these motors, such as the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme in the UK. Such actions not only make economic sense, they can play an enormous role in helping corporations to meet their environmental care goals, such as targets adopted as part of conforming to the popular ISO14001 standard."

The new higher efficiency standards start to come into force in Europe in 2011 when all general-purpose AC motors installed in the EU must meet a minimum efficiency of IE2 – equivalent to the previous CEMEP Eff 1 standard. The minimum standard becomes a step higher again from 2015 onwards when all motors will either need to meet IE3 – which is up to three percentage points better efficiency than IE2 – or be a combination of an IE2 rated motor with a variable speed control.

Baldor’s standard IEC frame IE3 range of AC motors – called Super-E Metric – spans 22 power ratings from 4 to 375 kW, with a choice of three speed options at each rating. Maximum efficiencies at full load start at 89.9 per cent for a 4 kW 4-pole motor, and go up to more than 96.3 per cent for high power motors. Baldor also offers higher voltage, ultra high efficiency motors for higher power applications up to 10 MW.

All the standard motors feature cast iron frames for durability, and will run from 50 Hz, 380-415 V three-phase supplies. They are additionally rated for use at 60 Hz/460 V, making them suitable for use in the USA as well. Baldor complements this range with a broader selection of IE3 rated motors in NEMA frames. Users can additionally specify IE3 rated motors with a range of protection options for applications including all-stainless-steel washdown duty types, severe duty and chemical duty (IEEE 841 compliant).

All Super-E Metric motors are wound with Baldor’s ISR (Inverter Spike Resistant) magnet wire, making them up to 100 times more resistant to transient voltage spikes, high frequencies, and short rise-time pulses commonly produced by inverters. This results in all Super-Es being‘inverter ready’. These motors, with improved insulation materials, can withstand peak voltages up to 1600 volts peak for extended reliability.

Baldor offers an advisory service to help users make a transition to higher efficiency motors, wherever a motor replaces an existing, less-efficient type.

Furthermore the company claims its Windows software called Baldor’s Energy Savings Tool , or BE$T, can help users understand the difference that higher efficiency can make. The program automatically selects the equivalent Baldor motor from the description entered.

 

Orginal reporting by Control Engineering Europe
Posted by Renee Robbins, Control Engineering North America

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