Eco-design in drive technology
The European Union's Eco-Design Regulation is an optimization process that aims to improve energy efficiency in industry in the long term and reduce environmentally harmful emissions.
Classes IE1-4 represent energy efficiency classes from "Standard" to "Super Premium Efficiency". IE5, the highest efficiency class, does not yet have a designation or defined limit values. In Switzerland, all new drives today have a minimum efficiency class of IE2 or higher. The current requirements depend on the type of motor and the power range.
Mindesteffizienzklassen in der Schweiz (2023)
| Motor type | Power range | Efficiency class | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor type | 1-phase motors ≥ 0.12 kW | Power range | ≥ 0.12 kW | Efficiency class | IE2 |
| Motor type | Explosion-proof motors | Power range | Ex db, Ex ec, Ex tb, Ex tc: - 0,12 kW to < 0,75 kW - 0,75 kW to 1000 kW Ex eb (increased safety): - 0,12 kW to 1000 kW |
Efficiency class | IE2 IE3 IE2 |
| Motor type | 3-phase-motors | Power range | 0,12 kW to <0,75 kW | Efficiency class | IE2 |
| Motor type | 3-phase-motors | Power range | 0.75 kW to <75 kW | Efficiency class | IE3 |
| Motor type | 3-phase-motors | Power range | > 75 kW to <200 kW | Efficiency class | IE4 |
| Motor type | 3-phase-motors | Power range | 200 kW to <1000 kW | Efficiency class | IE3 |
Differences between the motor technologies in relation to efficiency
Three-phase asynchronous motor
Three-phase asynchronous motors (DSAMs) are basically suitable for all applications, but are not necessarily the best solution - especially where space is limited. In order to improve efficiency, manufacturers often have to use more and better materials for the construction of the stator and rotor,which often leads to an increase in the size of the entire motor.
Copper rotor motor
The copper rotor motor, a variant of the standard asynchronous motor,can be built more compactly but is also more expensive to manufacture. It should be noted here that, thanks to the reduced losses achieved by the copper rotor, the speed can increase unintentionally and the drive can no longer be operated at optimum efficiency.
PM motor (permanent magnet synchronous motor)
PM motors are synchronous motors that do not use a rotor winding but permanent magnets to magnetize the rotor without loss. These types of motors are expensive to manufacture and maintain, but are also particularly efficient at reduced speeds.
Synchronous reluctance motor
Synchronous reluctance motors with a power range of 0.75 - 30 kW ((2 pole) 1500 min-1 = 0.75-30.0 kW), (4 pole) 3000 min-1 = 0.75-18.5 kW) are particularly efficient with an efficiency class of IE5. Like PM motors, these are also very efficient at lower speeds. Smaller synchronous reluctance motors usually fall between IE2-IE4 depending on the manufacturer.
System optimization and International Efficiency of Systems (IES)
More efficient motors are only the first step in optimizing your drive system and account for around 10% of the achievable savings potential. A further 30% can be achieved with speed control through the use of a frequency inverter. The rest is achieved by optimizing the entire system.
To simplify the optimization process, the efficiency of a motor in conjunction with a frequency inverter is classified with efficiency classes IES0-2. This is defined by the energy loss of the entire drive system (PDS), whereby IES0 and IES2 are defined as at least +20% and at least -20% of the reference loss IE1 respectively.
There are currently no legal requirements for International Efficiency of Systems (IES) classes.
Calculate efficiency classes yourself with Danfoss MyDrive® EcoSmart tool
Many in the industry do not know the exact efficiency and efficiency class of their drives (CDM) or drive systems (PDS). To determine the IE or IES class of these, Danfoss offers the MyDrive® EcoSmart tool.
Zum MyDrive® EcoSmart Tool