Ecodesign requirements for electric motors

Introduction

The Commission of the European communities has published a directive for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy- using products:
 "Directive 2005/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for electric motors". (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:191:0026:0034:EN:PDF)

This document explains the scope of this document and the impact on the electrical motors.

Subject matter and scope

1. 'Motor' means an electric single speed, three-phase 50 Hz or 50/60 Hz, squirrel cage induction motor that:

• has 2 to 6 poles,
• has a rated voltage of U_N up to 1 000 V,
• has a rated output P_N between 0,75 kW and 375 kW,
• is rated on the basis of continuous duty operation.

2. The new regulation shall not apply to motors specifically designed to operate:

• at altitudes exceeding 1 000 metres above sea-level;
• where ambient air temperatures exceed 40 °C;
• in maximum operating temperature above 400 °C;
• where air temperatures are less than - 15 °C for any motor or less than 0 °C for a motor with air cooling;
• where the water coolant temperature at the inlet to a product is less than 5 °C or exceeding 25 °C;
• in potentially explosive atmospheres as defined in Directive 94/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council( 3)

3. As from 16 June 2011 motors shall not be less efficient than the IE2 efficiency level, as defined in Annex I, point 1;

Conclusion