ARE YOU UP TO DATE WITH THE EU'S MOTOR EFFICIENCY RULES?
17th Dec 2014
Soon approaching is the new European electric motor energy-efficiency legislation, designed to ensure all motors sold in the EU are rated at IE3 efficiency – unless connected to a variable-speed drive in which case an IE2 motor is acceptable. The new legislation is designed to ensure all electric motors in the EU are energy efficient.
IE1 – Standard Efficiency (comparable to EFF2)
IE2 – High Efficiency (comparable to EFF1 and USA EPACT 60 Hz)
IE3 – Premium Efficiency (comparable to USA “NEMA Premium” 60 Hz
With 70% of industry electricity consumption is directly attributed to electric motors, the EU commission and UK Government forecast a total reduction of around 1 million tonnes of CO2 each year.
While the legislation has been under-publicised, all companies must comply with new legislation or risk high costs upgrading your motors at a later date.
EU MEPS covers almost all 2, 4 and 6 pole single speed, three-phase induction motors with a power range of 0.75 to 375 kW.
| EU Timetable | Requirement | Notes |
| Phase 1: From 16 June, 2011 |
Motors must meet the IE2 efficiency level | IE2 / High efficiency – comparable to Eff1 (European CEMEP agreement) |
| Phase 2: From 1 January, 2015 |
Motors with a rated output of 7.5 – 375 kW must meet EITHER the IE3 efficiency level OR the IE2 level if fitted with a variable speed drive | IE3 / Premium efficiency – extrapolated from IE2 with ~15% lower losses |
| Phase 3: From 1 January, 2017 |
Motors with a rated output of 0.75 – 375 kW must meet EITHER the IE3 efficiency level OR the IE2 level if fitted with a variable speed drive – Introduction of IE4 regulation. | |
How will this effect you?
- Motor manufacturers will not be permitted to manufacture or import into the EU standard electric motors covered by the legislation below IE2 (EFF1) class after 16 June 2011
- The current EFF1 and EFF2 efficiency classes will disappear
- EFF2 (IE1) rated motors will become obsolete
- Electric motors below IE2 (EFF1) class that are already in the supply chain can continue to be supplied after 16 June 2011
- Manufacturers will have to test motors to a new harmonized testing procedure which gives more accurate efficiency figures
- Motors will be subjected to independent testing to ensure compliance with the new levels
- The new efficiency class and motor efficiency will be clearly marked on the motor nameplate
- The increase in capital cost will be offset by the reduction in running cost over the lifecycle of the high efficiency motor
Exceptions
The new electric motor efficiency regulations do not apply to:
- Motors designed to operate whilst completely immersed in a liquid
- Motors integrated into a product (e.g. gear, fan or pump), meaning energy performance can’t be independently tested
- Motors designed to operate
- at altitudes over 1,000 metres above sea level;
- where ambient air temperature exceeds 40°C;
- in maximum operating temperature above 400°C;
- where ambient air temperatures are below -15°C (less than 0°C for a motor with air cooling);
- where the water coolant temperature at the inlet to a product is lower than 5°C or above 25°C;
- in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX);
Make your process more efficient and cost effective by installing one of our energy saving magnetic drive pumps, suitable for the new IE3 legislation or IE2 with an Inverter. Contact us for a quick and easy quote.