Mandatory Changeover to High-efficiency Motors in EU Soon

From June 16, 2011, in accordance with EU Directive 2005/32/EC, only high-efficiency 2 to 6-pole three-phase asynchronous motors will be permitted on the European market. They must at least comply with efficiency class IE2 (IE=International Efficiency) which corresponds to the currently highest European efficiency class EFF1. The efficiency of high-efficiency motors can be up to seven percent higher than that of standard motors, which means that less current is drawn for the same output. Drive systems consume more than two-thirds of industrial energy, so this will reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. At the same time the operating costs are reduced for the user, such that the additional costs for the higher efficiency are paid back in a short time. The operator can therefore save around 100 Euros in energy costs by implementing a 4-pole 2.2 kW motor of efficiency class IE2 instead of an IE1 motor. In continuous duty, at a rate of eight cents per kilowatt-hour, the additional costs are paid back in a year.

According to the Siemens Drive Technologies Division, replacement is easy due to the identical housing dimensions of IE1 and IE2 motors. The Siemens Drive Technologies Division supplies all the motor series that are affected by the new legislation and has short delivery times for standard catalog motors. The user is also supported with documentation, such as data sheets, and online tools such as the DT Configurator or the Sinasave energy-saving tool.