Super-Premium Efficiency motors suitable for commercial and industrial applications.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has published a standard (IEC/EN 60034-30-1:2014) that defines a class of IE4 or Super Premium Efficiency motors. Separate minimum full-load efficiency standards are issued for motors operating with 50 Hz and 60 Hz power supplies. These standards are voluntary and are introduced to provide global harmonization of efficiency standards. The standards apply to single speed, single and three phase 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-pole (3600, 1800, 1200, and 900 RPM) low voltage motors with a rated shaft output between 0.12 and 1000 kW. Motor efficiency must be demonstrated in accordance with the IEC 60034-2-1:2014 efficiency testing standard (comparable to the U.S. IEEE 112 or Canadian CSA 390 test standards).
Super Premium Efficiency motors are currently offered in the U.S. by WEG, ABB (100-500 hp), Teco (1-100 hp), and Siemens. These Super Premium Efficiency motors operate at two efficiency bands above NEMA Premium (IE3) motors. This is equivalent to a 20% reduction in motor losses. For a 0.75 kW (1 hp motor) the efficiency level for an 1800 RPM Super Premium Efficiency motor is 85.5% versus 83.5% for a Premium Efficiency motor. For a 75 kW (100 hp) motor, the Super Premium Efficiency performance requirement is 96.2% versus 95.4% for a Premium Efficiency motor. Efficiency gains are larger for smaller motors. Super Premium Efficiency motors provide the greatest energy savings in applications where the motor is fully-loaded, operates constantly, and is a replacement for an old, standard-efficiency motor.
Status:
Baseline Description: A Standard Efficiency Motor
Siemens states “up to 14%” energy savings (this would only be true for very small motors).
Simple payback, new construction (years): N/A
Simple payback, retrofit (years): N/A
Cost Effectiveness is calculated using baseline energy use, best estimate of typical energy savings, and first cost. It does not account for factors such as impacts on O&M costs (which could be significant if product life is greatly extended) or savings of non-electric fuels such as natural gas. Actual overall cost effectiveness could be significantly different based on these other factors.
ABB, 06/01/2014. Technical Note: IEC 60034-30-1 Standard on Efficiency Classes for Low Voltage AC Motors ABB
Frank J. Bartos, 06/19/2012. Motor-Driven Systems Efficiency Update Control Engineering