Super-efficiency electric motor target is achievable today using Baldor's IEC frame range

The capital cost of a motor destined for continuous or sustained use is dwarfed by its lifetime electricity operating costs, says 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% for a 4 kW 4-pole motor, and go up to more than 96.3% 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 an even broader selection of IE3 rated motors in NEMA frames. Baldor is renowned for its customisation ability, and 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 exclusive 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. Every Super-E motor is also balanced to Baldor's own very high standard. This results in fewer mechanical stresses, particularly on motor bearings, extending life. Baldor is so confident in the design and build quality of these motors that it offers them with a three year warranty.

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