• • • HAZARDOUS AREA EQUIPMENT • • • WEG explains new ecodesign standard
WEG, the manufacturer of motors and drives, has released a visual guide to explain the impending stricter requirements for motor ecodesign, which have been approved by the European Commission (EC). The scope of the updated regulations now covers more motor types, including motors for hazardous areas, and will hold them to higher standards of efficiency
reviously, the ecodesign requirements for electric motors, Commission Regulation (EC) No 640/2009, only applied to 3-phase motors ranging from 0.75 kilowatts (kW) to 375 kW. It specified IE3 class efficiency as the minimum requirement with IE2 class allowed when used with a variable speed drive. Electric motors outside of this power range were excluded from the regulation, with exemptions for hazardous area motors amongst others.
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This is set to change from July 2021. The updated regulation will require that all new 2-, 4-, 6- and 8- pole electric motors in the 0.75 to 1000 kW power range meet the IE3 classification. This will be regardless of whether or not they are combined with a VSD, and the ruling will also apply to electric motors for hazardous environments. Additionally, for the first time ever, VSDs will be held to energy efficiency standards and expected to meet there own IE2 classification. This is all explained in the new guide from WEG. “We realise that the coming regulation changes
have left people with a number of questions,” says Marek Lukaszczyk, European and Middle East marketing manager at WEG. “Actually, WEG’s range of IE3 hazardous area motors are already manufactured to efficiency standards, long before these regulatory changes were announced. That’s why we have released a new guide, to help explain the huge changes and provide some clarity. If users are left with any further questions, then we welcome them to contact WEG’s specialists for advice.” One reason for the stricter EC No 640/2009 regulation is that is has become increasingly hard to regulate IE2 motors combined with VSDs. Some users choose to not use a VSD at all. “We understand the confusion from motor users,
particularly surrounding the classification of VSDs,” continues Lukaszczyk. “Interestingly, the IE2 rating of a VSD isn’t equivalent to an IE2 rating of an electric motor — they are measured differently.” In other cases, with no obligation to implement high levels of energy efficiency, some businesses opt for lower-efficiency motors because of the reduced upfront cost. “This approach has limited advantages, because the cost is only a small percentage of the whole lifecycle cost of owning and running a motor,”
explains Lukaszczyk. “Instead, by adhering to the new regulations, businesses can opt for high- efficiency motors from the outset and reap long-term cost savings.” WEG’s guide is designed to highlight the benefits that are available if businesses adhere to the updated EC No 640/2009 standard. For more information on the stricter ecodesign regulations for motors, download WEG’s guide.
INNOVATE UK
gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk
Secure supply chain with robust H&S practices S
SI SCHAEFER, provider of products and systems for intra-company material flows and waste engineering, announced that it has selected Alcumus SafeContractor, a safety accreditation company, for both its sub-contractor management system and contractor accreditation. The manufacturing industry has many hazards,
particularly moving objects, contact with machinery, and falls from height. The HSE estimate there were 61,000 injuries to manufacturing workers in 2018/19, 26 of them fatal. Many of these are down to unsafe work practices which can be avoided with the correct education and precautions. SSI SCHAEFER today announce it has partnered with SafeContractor to signal to customers it is uncompromising when it comes to health and safety.
42 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • APRIL 2021
Andy Wightman, commercial director, at SSI SCHAEFER comments: “We work with very large brands, meaning we sometimes allocate projects worth millions of pounds to contractors. It is essential that they are following the correct procedures and protecting our reputation with the customer. SafeContractor provides peace of mind that contractor health and safety practices are compliant with the law and that they are working to the highest standards.” Tracey Peace, business improvement manager,
at SSI SCHAEFER adds: “Onboarding contractors for each new project can be an arduous task. With SafeContractor we can mitigate the cost and time of trying to manage contractors ourselves by accessing a ready pool
of accredited contractors. This will build confidence and drive efficiency for our team, which will help us to grow sustainably and ethically as a business.” Gemma Archibald, managing director of Alcumus
SafeContractor says: “As the latest HSE statistics suggest, appropriate health and safety vetting of your supply chain is essential to minimise the risks to individuals and your business.” “While many supply chains are being disrupted at the moment, health and safety standards should not be compromised. Furthermore, strides towards quality, environment and sustainability goals should not be needlessly undone.”
SSI SCHAEFER
ssi-schaefer.com
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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