Time to adjust
Altivar AC drives meet the strictest standard for energy efficiency
Electric motors are major consumers in industry when it comes to energy consumption. As much as 70% of the electricity produced goes to electrically driven systems. For heavy industries, this can be as much as 90%. Since 2009, the EU has been setting minimum energy efficiency requirements for new electric motors from 0.75 to 375 kW with the Ecodesign Directive 640/2009 in order to encourage manufacturers to bring more energy-efficient products to market. This directive states that electric motors must have at least an IE3 classification. For electric motors with frequency control, this is at least IE2. IE stands for International Efficiency and indicates how energy-efficient an electric motor is. The higher the number, the higher the efficiency.
New directive for electric motors and frequency converter
On 25 October 2019, the EU member states tightened the minimum energy efficiency requirements for electric motors and variable speed drives within the EU directive 2019/ 1781. This new directive replaces the existing Regulation 640/2009 and will come into force on 1 July 2021. The new directive covers all induction motors for continuous use that have two, four, six or eight poles and an output of between 0.12 kW and 1,000 kW. Electric motors with an output of 0.12 kW to 0.75 kW will have to comply with energy efficiency classification IE2 and electric motors between 0.75 kW and 1,000 kW with classification IE3 from this date. The minimum IE2 classification for electric motors with frequency control will expire. As of this date, separate energy efficiency classifications apply for frequency converters.. The minimum energy efficiency requirements for electric motors and frequency converters will be further tightened in subsequent phases as of 1 July 2022 and 1 July 2023.
Energy efficiency classifications for frequency converters
The energy efficiency of frequency converters and drive systems is specified in standard IEC61800-9. From 1 July 2021, frequency converters will be marked with an IE0, IE1 or IE2 classification. This classification indicates how energy-efficient a frequency converter is, with IE1 being the benchmark as set by the Ecodesign Directive. Frequency converters with an IE0 rating are 25% less energy efficient and frequency converters with an IE2 rating are 25% more energy efficient. Frequency converters that are suitable for electric motors of 0.12 kW to 1,000 kW nominal voltage between 100 and 1000 VAC must meet the IE2 classification as of 1 July 2021.
Altivar Efficiency Calculator Tool
Altivar AC drives of the Altivar Machine, Altivar Process and Altivar Building series comply with the most stringent requirements of the IEC 61800-9 energy efficiency standard and are classified as IE2. Schneider Electric has developed a handy tool for its partners and customers. It demonstrates that the losses of the various models in each possible configuration comply with energy efficiency classification IE2. In addition, tests also show that the AC drives comply with the IEC/EN 61800-9-2 regulation, which shows the maximum power losses for CDM (Complete Drive Modules) and PDM (Power Drive Systems: combination of motor with AC drive).
Five steps
In five steps, the user can see whether an AC drive is satisfactory and what level of energy efficiency it achieves. In the first step, the user selects the drive reference and is shown the technical specifications of the product. Next, the user selects the type of motor for which the AC drive will be used. After this step, the user gets directly all the data on energy efficiency: the Altivar Efficiency Tool shows at product level the different losses according to the eight points covered by the regulation EU 2019/781, which relate to the torque to speed ratio. Finally, the user receives an analysis of the losses of the drive and motor together at the same eight predefined points. The test results of the tool can be saved by the user as a pdf file, proving that the components used comply with the latest standard.
For more information, please visit https://altivar-efficiency-calculator.se.app.
Stay up to date with the latest news:
-
Rittal - VR pedestalRead moreDelve into the world of the VX plinth plinth system - a successor that takes your cabinet arrangement to the next level. More stability, but also flawless installation. Experience the evolution of your workspace today! Rittal strives to constantly refine and improve its products. As part of this process, the VX plinth plinth system has been redesigned this product has been available since 1 March 2024.
-
Siemens - SINAMICS G220 variable speed drive now also in IP55Read moreIn addition to the previously released IP20 variant of the SINAMICS G220 variable speed drive, the IP55 version of this innovative drive is now also available. This version comes standard with coated circuit boards that make the inverter resistant even outside the control cabinet to aggressive influences in a harsh industrial environment. As an option, a housing-mounted isolating switch can also be supplied to ensure safe disconnection of voltage without any other external components.
-
News - Fluke - 87-V digital multimeterRead moreTechnological advances now allow accurate electrical measurements to be taken during installation and maintenance using a digital multimeter (DMM), allowing technicians to diagnose problems that lead to premature failure.
-
Pilz: PSENmlock mini and PSENslock 2Read moreWhen securing fences, a wide variety of factors such as the fence type, the respective installation situation and the specific use must be taken into account depending on the application. For this purpose, Pilz is expanding its range in the field of safety interlocks with two new sensors immediately: PSENmlock mini for space-critical applications and PSENslock 2
Check out our other success stories:
-
Dymotec - Open Lines in a ‘Perfect Storm’Read moreCOVID-19 and global component scarcity threw the industry into a ‘perfect storm’. Industrial automator Dymotec and Breemes kept the phone lines constantly open to tackle the scarcity problem together with creativity and proactivity. Dymotec in Olen (B) focuses on industrial automation spanning a broad spectrum of industries, from food and pharma to logistics and metal. The company has been around for 30 years and joined the Jeco Energies Group in 2022. Dymotec now has some 50 employees and also has a flexible shell with technicians, programmers and project engineers. Ever since its establishment, the company from Kempen has had a relationship with (the predecessors of) Breemes.
-
Enduro - Complete package for heavy-duty workRead moreEnduro Softslings builds machines for the manufacture of its own heavy lifting soft slings. For a new machine, it called in itsme for the full package: advice on the drives, supply of components and programming of the controls. “We completed the entire project in just over six months. That’s fast for such a specialised machine.”
-
Stimac - Good technical support for ever-changing specificationsRead moreIf the description for an automation project is clear from the start, it is easy for the industrial automation specialist to give it substance. In practice, however, specifications often change during the course of a project. This happened to Stimac/SNK when designing the control technology for a horticultural machine. For the problems that arose during the process, itsme quickly provided Stimac/SNK with a solution. “When a customer calls us, we respond immediately. So it’s nice to have a supplier like itsme who can also help immediately.”
-
Innovatec - Hatching Better ProcurementRead moreInnovatec Hatchery Automation launched a process of professionalisation for its procurement process last year. The company partnered with itsme because of its technical expertise, logistics concepts and intensive contacts with manufacturers. “First we were dating, but now we’re thinking about moving in together.”
Why not take a look at these trainings we offer:
-
TIAP-NETWORKRead moreavailable in Dutch
-
PCS7-SYST v9Read moreavailable in Dutch
-
PCS7-PRO v9Read moreavailable in Dutch
-
PROFIBUS-INSTRead moreavailable in Dutch