Worldwide there are several classification systems of induction motors efficiencies. In order to create a common system, IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) issued in October 2008 the norm IEC 60034-30 “Rotating electrical machines – Part 30: Efficiency classes of singlespeed, three-phase, cage-induction motors (IE-code)”. It's a classification sytem of efficiency that replaces the CEMEP one (to be clear, the one of “Eff.1, Eff.2, ed Eff.3” motors) and that, furthermore, recalls a new measuring and calculation way of efficiency, the one of the norm IEC 60034-2-1 (Rotating electrical machines – Part 2-1: Standard methods for determining losses and efficiency from tests), of September 2007.

In Europe it’s a step ahead in the application of the Directive 2005/32/CE of 6 July 2005 “establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-using products”.

• - From June 2011, the motors with efficiency lower than IE-2 will be forbidden
• - From 2015, the minimum efficiency for motors from 7,5 to 375kW will be l'IE-3, and
• - From 2017, the obligation of IE-3 will be extended to the motors from 0,75kW to 5,5kW

The following chart tries to synthesize a comparison between yesterday and today.

In our field, we list 5 main changes in Europe :

• - The classification is now extended to 6 poles motors
• - The powers range is wider
• - In a direct comparison between Eff.2” and “IE-1” or between “Eff.1” and “IE-2” , we find that the first, the CEMEP values, are higher, but this is also a consequence of the
• - Change in the measurement and calculation system of such values, that must now be made with the method of the new norm IEC 60034-2-1:2007, and
• - Introduction of the IE3 "Premium efficiency" level.

Nevertheless, local legislations of some Countries inside and outside Europe, and the specific requirements of some associations, maintain often incentivized or even compulsory those motors called “Eff.1” according to the CEMEP system.

What does Motive do in this scenario?

• - The measuring and calculation system of Motive motors efficiency is already conform to the norm 60034-2-1:2007. That's the one behind the data declared in the probative test-reports uploaded in motive web-site (each declared data, we remind it, is in fact supported, detailed and proven by such test reports)
• - This, together with the fact that Eff.2 Motive motors are often offering an efficiency abundantly above the min allowed level, permits to several Eff.2 Motive motors to be already classifiable as IE-2 "high efficiency". Before 2011, anyway, all those motors that do not yet reach IE-2 efficiency level will be improved.
• - "Eff.1" motors are already available, and most of them are already IE3 "premium efficiency".
• - The test-reports and data truth of eff.1 motive motors has been certified by IMQ, the main Italian certification body for electrical appliances. The same, in fact, in September 2008 has firstly inspected and qualified our internal laboratory according to the norm IEC/ISO17025, and then supervised the internal tests on a sampling list of Eff.1 motors, including some 6 and 8 poles in order to enclose further values that, out of CEMEP classifications, were already established by some Countries laws.

Clients benefits are of many kinds:

BILL EFFECTS
The purchase cost of a motor is about 2- 3% of the total costs of its life. The balance is energy consumption costs. Comparing Eff.1 motors to Eff.2, the purchase price difference is recovered in about one year of energy saving. Of course, such period length depends by the specific motor, the use of it and the local energy costs of each Country. Motive can give you a tool in xls format to support you in this calculation.

DURABILITY EFFECTS
Higher efficiency motors heat less, slowing down the aging cycle of the insulating materials and living longer. Average operating life of Eff.2 motive motors is:
- 2500 hours/ year for motors up to 15kW
- 4000 hours/year for bigger motors.
The average life is approximately from 25 to 30.000 hours for the first and 50,000 for the second ones. Eff.1 motors can live approx 40% longer than Eff.2 motors.

AMBIENT EFFECTS
Electric motors use 65% of all electricity in industry. Higher efficiency motors have the further objective of sustainable development, reduction of CO2 emissions and consequent improvement of the quality of the atmosphere with an objective of sustainable development, Reduction of CO2 emissions and consequent improvement of the quality of the atmosphere.

How to make a more efficient motor?

High efficiency can be seen in many ways: like the relation between output power and input absorbed power, or like a measure of the losses that born when converting the electric power in mechanical energy. From another perspective, high efficiency motors consume less energy to produce the same torque on the shaft. Basically, an high efficiency motor is the result of precise machining, lower frictions, a dynamically balanced rotor, smaller space between rotor and stator and of the use of better materials. The main factors for the design are based on the choice of the type of lamination sheets and windings with a greater turns number and a bigger diameter wire.
Among all materials that compose a motor, laminations have the highest influence on performance.
Motive motors are made with CRNO "FeV" magnetic lamination sheets, rather than the customary iron lamination sheets.
Further than raw material, the sheets thickness is another performance source. In fact, the thinner is the sheet, the higher are the performances.
The Semi Processed/Decarb lamination sheets "Fe P01" can reach up to 1mm thickness.
FeV magnetic lamination sheets have a 0,5mm maximum thickness.
Composition and thickness give to magnetic lamination sheets a very low W/Kg loosing factor:
lower specific losses mean less magnetising current for the same Power and torque (thus less heating).
Instead, no standard prescribes a maximum loosing factor for Fe P01 lamination sheets; not even this data can be guaranteed. This is a source of potential performance diversities between motor and motor.

The main advantages given by the adoption of silicon magnetic laminations are:
higher efficiency
better guarantees on the quality consistency, assured by tolerances reported in international norms.