motors & drives 13
Eco-design directive: does it go
far enough on carbon reduction?
New mandatory efficiency levels for electric
within the motor). WEG will use the Indirect Method for
motors will drive down carbon emission,
its new range of W22 Motors.
The current proposal is that the new efficiency
says Marek Lukaszczyk.
directive will be introduced in three stages, between 2011
and 2017. From 2011, the directive will prohibit the sale
he implementation of the EU’s new of motors below standard IE2 efficiency; it will allow only
T
eco-design directive 2005/32/EC is to highly efficient IE3 motors for certain larger applications
be welcomed as it from 2015, and for all applications
imposes mandatory from 2017.
minimum efficiencies for three- Despite the obvious benefits
phase, low voltage electric motors that it will bring, one question that
for the first time. hangs over the new directive – in
Covering electric motors in the common with all measures that
range 0.75kW to 375kW, the new deal with carbon reduction – is
directive replaces the voluntary does it go far enough?
agreement on motor efficiency The question is justified on two
standards that has existed since counts: ATEX motors are excluded
1998 between the European from the directive, and the upper
sector committee for electric drive limit for the IE classification is only
systems CEMEP and the European 375kW. Of the two, the omission
Commission from 1998. of ATEX motors is probably the
Central to the new directive most serious, because larger motors
is IEC 60034-30:2009, a new
“The implementation of
are intrinsically more efficient.
harmonised IE (International the EU’s new eco-design As regards the ATEX question;
Efficiency) standard that will
directive 2005/32/EC should
there has undoubtedly been a
replace the current voluntary
be welcomed as it imposes
major increase in the number
wEFF labelling scheme
mandatory minimum
of hazardous areas in industry
(EN 60034-2:1996), July 2011. over the past decade and a
Under the new IE classifications,
efficiencies”
commensurate increase in the
the present EFF2 standard number of ATEX motors employed
efficiency classification becomes
marek Lukaszczyk,
as a result. In addition, because of
IE1; EFF1 high efficiency becomes
WeG electric motors (UK) Ltd
the nature of the environments in
IE2; and IE3 is a new classification which they are used, ATEX motors
for premium efficiency. tend to operate continuously, consuming large amounts
The new more rigorous testing regime of energy.
stipulated in EN 60034-2-1 will In view of this, it is to be hoped that the omission
change the efficiency on-paper of of ATEX category motors will be re-addressed over the
some existing motors, this is due implementation timescale of the new directive.
to the method of measurement With its new W22 range of motors, WEG is well
for stray load losses (SLL). placed to meet all user demands for motors to the new
Manufacturers are allowed to IE standard. This preparedness is the result of WEG’s
use one of two methods: Direct continuing development programme for high efficiency
Measurement (which involves motors, with the latest products already in operation
calculation of the input power in parts of the world that have higher energy efficiency
based on voltage and current standards than Europe.
and output power based on WEG’s W22 energy efficient range reduces losses by
speed and torque) or Indirect between 10 per cent and 40 per cent compared with
Fig. 1. WEG’s new W22 range of low voltage Measurement (which involves typical motors. n
AC motors is available now in standard measuring the input power and
IEC frame sizes that meet the new IE3 high then calculating the output Marek Lukaszczyk is with WEG Electric Motors (UK) Ltd,
efficiency rating. power on the basis of the losses Redditch, Worcestershire, UK. www.weg.net
www.engineerlive.com
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