STM Power Transmissions

IE2 Motors from STM UK

As part of a worldwide effort to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions many authorities have introduced, or are introducing legislation, to encourage the use and manufacture of more highly efficient motors. These motors come under the descriptions of IE2 Motors – High Efficiency and IE3 Motors – Premium Efficiency with the Super Premium Efficiency IE4 Motors currently under development.

The new international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60034-30) defines 3 distinct efficiency classes for single speed, three phase motors – IE1, IE2 and IE3 - which have also been adopted as a European and UK standard under BS EN 60034-30:2009. These new IE classes replace the previous CEMEP EFF classes – EFF1, EFF2 and EFF3 - and below in the table you can see where the crossovers occur.
IE1
Standard Efficiency
EFF2
IE2
High Efficiency
EFF1
IE3
Premium Efficiency
-
IE4
Super Premium Efficiency
Future Development

Somewhere in the region of 30 million new electric motors are sold every year for use in industrial processes. It is estimated that altogether, 300 million electric motors are in use worldwide, and that together they consume some 40% of global electricity usage. Motor manufacturers have advanced the technology over the years allowing the production of High Efficiency –  IE2 Motors and Premium Efficiency - IE3 Motors. Soon to be added to this list – and currently in development – are motors coming under the umbrella of Super Premium Efficiency or IE4 Motors, although this last one is a few years off yet and legislation will not come in till 2017.

According to EuP Lot 11, an 11kw 4pole motor running for 8000 hours a year will recoup the extra outlay for the IE2 Motor in just 7 months through energy savings against an IE1 motor. Even at 2000 running hours a year, the energy savings will repay the capital outlay in around 3 years.

The European Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) which includes EuP (Energy Using Products) and ErP (Energy Related Products) sets out mandatory minimum efficiency requirements for motors which are allowed to be sold to market; this can be seen in the table below.

Date
Motor Range
Minimum Efficiency Standard
June 2011
0.75kw to 375kw
IE2 (with fixed or variable speed control)
January 2015
7.5kw to 375kw
IE3 (with fixed or variable speed control)
or IE2 with variable speed control
January 2017
0.75kw to 375kw
IE3 (with fixed or variable speed control)
or IE2 with variable speed drive)

Although over a motors lifetime energy represents over 97% of its operating costs, the purchase of new motors – in the UK especially – is driven by price and not the energy it will consume. It is becoming clear that by investing a little more money on a high efficiency motor the investment can be paid back with energy savings.

Here at STM we are trying to get ‘ahead of the game’ and from 1st February 2011 we will have IE2 Motors, 2 and 4 pole available ex-stock. All motors are manufactured by MT Motori in Italy to very strict quality standards. They are constructed to ISO 9001:2008 standards, are covered for Atex Zone 2 and Zone 22 and are UL and CE approved.
STM UK also stock many other MT Motors including AC and DC Brake Motors, Servo-Ventilated and standard 2 and 4 pole Electric Motors.

Give us a call today to see what STM UK can do for you!