.
Improving the efficiency of electric motors and
ENERGY EFFICIENT
MOTORS
Document By
SANTOSH BHARADWAJ REDDY
Email: help@matlabcodes.com
Engineeringpapers.blogspot.com
More Papers and Presentations available on
above site
ABSTRACT
In the present day world, energy
conservation by a small means plays a
significant role in making huge profits for any
industry. The present paper explains the need
of improving energy efficiency and particularly
in motors. In industries, motor driven systems
represent about 60% of all the electrical energy
used. Energy efficient motors are the best
solution to solve energy crisis. NEMA (National
Electrical Manufacturers Association) set
standards for energy efficient motors and named
them as premium efficiency motors.
1.0 INTRODUCTION: Over half of all
electrical energy consumed is used by
electric motors as shown in figure1.
the equipment they drive can save energy and
Energy Efficient Motors are the best solution to
solve energy crisis NEMA (National Electrical
Manufacturers Association) set standards for
energy efficient motors and named them as
premium efficiency motors. As efficiency
depends on losses, reducing them itself
improves efficiency. Improved design
specifications help to improve the efficiency.
Comparison between the energy efficient motors
and standard motors indicate the annual energy
saved and thereby cost savings.
reduce operating costs. . Energy efficiency
should be a major consideration when we
purchase a motor, as well as the more common
considerations.
"What’s the price and how soon can we get it?”
There are three factors to be considered:
1Energy-efficient motors only provide savings
when they're running.
2. Maximum savings and the fastest returns on
investment.
Any motor selection has to be properly
engineered for its intended application .
1.1Definition
An "energy efficient" motor is a motor that
gives you the same output strength by
consuming lesser amounts of power. For energy-
efficient motor’s performance must be equal or
exceed the nominal full-load efficiency values.
The efficiency of a motor is the ratio of the
mechanical power output to the
electrical power input. This may
expressed as:
In 1989, the National Electrical Manufacturers
Association (NEMA) developed a standard
definition for energy-efficient motors. The
definition, designed to help users identify and
compare electric motor efficiencies on an equal
basis.
A sample database listing is shown in
Table 1.1. The database contains the
manufacturers’ name, motor model, full-
load RPM, service factor, frame size, and
list price.
Table1.1
Table1.1howing the comparision of standard
motors and energy efficient motors of two
different types viz. ODP, TEFC.
Note that the nominal full-load motor
efficiencies vary from 86.5 to 93.2 percent.
Prices also vary. In many cases, motors with
be identical list prices exhibit very different
efficiency ratings.
2.0 FACTORS AFFECTING EFFICIENCY
AND LOSS DISTRIBUTION
Types of Losses :Various Types of losses
that incur in a standard motor and a high
efficient motor are indicated in the figure2.1.
Figure2.1
Figure2.1showing comparison of losses for a
standard motor and an energy efficient motor.
Stator and Rotor I2R losses: Stator and
Rotor I²R losses appear when heat is
generated by resistance from current flowing
in the stator windings, rotor conductor bars.
These are major losses, typically account for
55% to 60% of total losses.
Core losses: It has hysterisis and eddy
current effects. These are independent of
load and account for 20 to 25% of total
losses. Efficiency is improved by the use of
thinner gauge, lower loss core steel reduces
eddy current loss. Motor operation closer to
synchronous speed will reduce rotor I²R
losses. Efficiency can be improved by using
more copper and large conductors, lowers
resistance and losses due to current flow.
Efficiency is improved by the use of longer
core steel to design, reduces core losses due
to lower operating flux densities Table2.2
Table2.2 shows various types of motor
losses for a 1800 rpm motor for different
ratings.
Friction and Windage losses: These losses
are independent of load. They account for 8
to 12% of total losses. Efficiency is
improved by the use of optimized design,
strict quality control procedures minimizes
stray load losses.
Stray load losses: These vary according to
square of the load current, caused by leakage
flux induced by load currents in laminations.
They account for 4 to 5% of total losses.
Efficiency is improved by the use of low
loss fan design, reduces losses due to air
movement.
3.0Modifications of the design to improve
efficiency: Higher efficiencies are achieved
by redesign of motors as follows:
1.Low loss of thinner laminations reduce
the Iron losses even at partial loads.
2.Thicker conductors and more copper
contents reduce copper losses due to lower
resistance.
3. Longer core length, uniform air gap
between stator and rotor reduce stray losses.
4. Special design of fan reduce windage
losses.
5. An energy efficient motor results in
lower energy costs when compared to a
rewound standard-efficiency motor.
3.1Cost effectiveness: Energy-efficient
motor depends on factors like motor price,
efficiency rating, annual hours of use,
energy rates, cost of installation and
downtime, and the availability of utility
rebates or other incentives.
Figure3.1.1
Figure3.1.1 shows the drooping nature of
efficiency of a standard at partial loads.
 Figure3.2.1 shows the average life of the
motors increase with the increase in size of the
motors of different ratings.

Energy efficient motors require less

Figure3.1.2;Figure3.1.2 depicts the initial
cost and the life time costs of a motor.
Hence one should be careful in choosing
motor which will bring down the life time
cost.
3.2 Energy Efficient Motors:(EEMs)
maintenance and have longer life because of
lower motor operating temperatures. The
energy efficient designs of multi-speed
motors are not available. They are not suited
for highly intermittent duty and special
torque applications as hoists and cranes,
traction drives, punch presses, machine tools
and centrifuges.

EEMs operate with efficiencies that are

typically 4 to 6 % higher than the standard
motor. The power factor is same or may be
higher compared to standard motors. EEMs
withstand wider voltage, frequency
fluctuations and higher ambient temperatures
without breakdown. In the event of field Figure3..2.2. shows the annual energy savings
repairs it retains rated capacity when repairs of the motor with its increase in size.
are carried out by less skilled workers and in
inexact conditions

Figure3.2.1

3.3 Case Study: Higher Efficiency Motors

Mean Big Savings and Better Reliability
Table3.3 shows the typical examples of high
efficient motors and standard motors of
different ratings, with their efficiency at full
load ,efficiency at 75% load ,additional cost
incurred for a premium motor and annual
energy savings.

Example One Example Two

50 hp, 1800 rpm, 25 hp, 1800 rpm,
460 V 460 V
EPAct NEMA EPAct
NEMA
Standa Premiu Standar
Premium
rd m d
Full
Load
93.1 94.5 92.4 93.6
Effici
ency
Effici
ency
(at 93.6 95.1 93.1 94.1
75%
load)
Meet
s
Yes yes Yes yes
EPAc
t?
Incre
ment
NA $176 NA $96
al
Cost
Ener
gy
Savin
gs at
2,829 958
75% NA NA
kWh/y kWh/y
Load
(6000
hrs/y
ear)

4. Conclusion

Higher efficiency motors (HEMs or

EEMs) are preferred than that of
standard efficiency motors, because
increased efficiency saves significant
 amount of energy consumed and encouragement and co-operation
therefore saves energy bill, costs incurred extended. The authors also wish to thank
over maintenance of the standard motor . the college management for all the co-
However EEMs may not always lead to operation.
lower power consumption.Sometimes
6.REFERENCES:
there would be an increase in energy
consumption rather than a decrease due
1.Energy Efficiency Electrical Motors
to the smaller slip in selecting a suitable
Selection Handbook prepared by Gilbert
motor. So proper selection of high
A. McCoy, Todd Litman,
efficiency motors must be made according
John.G.Douglass, Washington State
to the type of application and energy
Energy Office Olympia,Washington.
required. One should be careful in
choosing proper rating, always avoiding 2.Understanding Energy Efficient Motors
over-sized motors. prepared by Electrical Apparatus
Services Association .

3.Saving Energy with high efficiency

motors by Stefan Fassbinder, Leonardo
Energy September 2007.

Document By
SANTOSH BHARADWAJ REDDY
Email: help@matlabcodes.com
Engineeringpapers.blogspot.co
m
More Papers and Presentations
available on above site
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

The authors thank

Dr.P.RAMANA REDDY
PROFFESSOR&HEAD, DEPARTMENT
OF EEE for all the encouragement and