From 1 January 2015, the latest efficiency regulations for electric motors come into force in Europe, whereby any new installation using a motor between 7.5kW and 375kW must use either an IE3 rated motor or an IE2 motor installed with a variable frequency drive (VFD). Aimed at improving the overall efficiency of the installed equipment across Europe, the regulation is supported by a new standard, EN 50598, which benchmarks the efficiency ratings of electric motor drives. EN 50598-2 will widen the focus from a single component to the efficiency of the completed power drive system. The new efficiency classes provide a structure that allows the losses for a complete drive system to be compared. The median range is IES1 and systems which fall below the minimum value of IES1 are classed as IESO. More efficient systems, with values 20% above IES1, are identified as IES2. The new standard will also help end users to gauge payback periods more accurately. Previously, the overall efficiency of speed controlled motors was estimated using rough energy consumption figures. Now, with verified efficiency curves, the payback period for a motor/drive combination can be calculated more realistically.
