As of 1 January 2015, the new European minimum energy performance standard (EU MEPS) comes into force, when all motors between 7.5 and 375 kW must either meet IE3 efficiency levels or meet IE2 if fitted with a variable-speed drive.
IE2 motors do not have to be decommissioned and replaced, as there is no requirement under the pending changes to EU MEPS that prevents the continued use of installed IE2 motors.
Whilst end user stock of IE2 motors can still be used after the 1 January 2015, any new manufacturer stock brought into the UK market after this date must be fitted with a variable-speed drive to comply with the new efficiency standard. Doing so will not only deliver EU MEPS compliance, but will also offer more accurate and reliable motor control that will improve control of the production process overall.
Suitable VSDs for IE2 motors are the ABB machinery drives, ACS 355 rated from 0.37 to 22 kW; ABB general purpose drives, the ACS310 and ACS550 with a power rating from 0.37 to 22 kW and 0.75 to 375 kW respectively and the ABB drive for HVAC, the ACH550 with a rated power range from 0.75 to 355 kW.
IE2 efficient ABB general performance motors and ABB process performance motors, available in power ratings from 7.5 to 375 kW in 2, 4 and 6 pole designs, will continue to be available as a matched package with one of the above VSD options from ABB.
ABB
01925 741 111
