26 n ELECTRIC MOTORS November/December 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com How can we have IE6 motors when there is no standard? IE6 hyper-e ciency is the latest buzz in the electric motors industry. Some manufacturers have already announced models based on various technologies that meet this anticipated level of energy e ciency. The puzzle for customers is understanding what IE6 really means when IE5 is currently the highest o cial standard dened by the IEC (in TS 60034-30-2:2016). The standard allows direct comparison at the IE class level of traditional induction motors in variable-speed applications with advanced technology motors designed only for VSD (variable-speed drive) operation – such as synchronous reluctance (SynRM) machines. It does not matter if the IE classication is done with a DOL (direct-online) supply, in accordance with IEC 6003430-1, or with a VSD supply, in accordance with IEC TS 60034-30-2, because the given IE class still characterises the e ciency performance of either approach in VSD operation. This makes it clear for customers that motors in the same IE class have the same minimum e ciency performance. What is happening now is that the speed of development in energy-e cient motor technologies has outstripped the evolution of standards to dene it. In fact, in many cases, when working on high-end applications, we nd that customers tend to ask for the highest level of energy e ciency possible, rather than asking for a motor to meet a specic IE class. Even so, we need a common language across the industry, and that must be underpinned by common standards to bring clarity to all stakeholders – users, regulators and manufacturers. The challenge is that IE6 does not yet have a rigorous denition. ABB’s philosophy is to operate on the basis that, so far, each higher IE e ciency class has had 20% lower energy losses than the previous one. This “20% principle” is generally well-known in the market. Therefore, we dene IE6 as oering 20% energy lower losses than IE5. However, while we have our own interpretation of IE6, our view, in common with other major manufacturers, is that standards play an important role in driving energy e ciency forward. That is why we are committed to working together with the relevant industrial bodies to ensure that IE6 is dened and adopted o cially, even though this could take some time to happen. How is IE6 achieved? Various motor technologies can be used to achieve IE6 performance, but no single technology can meet all application needs. ABB’s approach is, therefore, to oer a full technology portfolio so we can always supply the most competitive motors for the specic requirement. Among the possible solutions in ABB’s portfolio are SynRM motors, permanent magnet (PM) machines, and a hybrid SynRMPM technology (known as PMaSynRM ) that was launched in 2014. It gives the SynRM design a permanent magnet “boost”. An advantage of PM motors for achieving high e ciencies is that their magnets create the essential magnetic eld without needing current in the rotor. This reduces copper losses compared to induction motors. However, there are challenges regarding potential de-magnetisation, complicated maintenance and price uctuations associated with the use of magnets. Some motor manufacturers are already o ering “IE6” machines, even though no ocial standard yet exists for this level of eciency. Daniel Eberli, head of IEC LV motor product management at ABB, explains how and why this is happening. Some synchronous reluctance motors are being sold as having IE6 eciencies even though is no ocial standard yet for this level of eciency
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