from July 2023 ill become valid IE4

The international standard IEC 60034-30:2008 defines the efficiency classes for three-phase motors:

IE1 = Standard Efficiency
IE2 = High Efficiency from 2011
IE3 = Premium Efficiency from 2015/2018
IE4 = Super Premium efficiency from 2023

The European Regulation with Directive 2005/32/EC defines the methods of implementation of the international standard.

The effective dates for the various yield classes are:

From 16 June 2011, motors placed on the market for the first time must have a minimum efficiency class IE2.
From 1 January 2015, motors with a rated output between 7.5 – 375 kW must be of a minimum efficiency class IE3, or minimum IE2 if equipped with a drive with electronic speed control.
From 1 January 2017 motors with a rated power between 0.75 – 375 kW must be of a minimum efficiency class IE3, or minimum IE2 if equipped with a drive with electronic speed control. The electronic speed control is carried out using a frequency converter which regulates the speed of the motor – and therefore the power produced – on the basis of the energy required.

The legislation provides for some applications for which it is still possible to use IE1 or IE2 motors, such as for example motors:

Fully integrated in one machine.
Designed to operate completely immersed in a liquid.
For potentially explosive atmospheres.
With permanent magnets.
Used with inverters.

And many more.

Premium Efficiency – IE3 will become mandatory in Europe

Standard IEC 60034-30 defines the energy efficiency classes for asynchronous motors. Regulations (EC) 640/2009 and 04/2014 establish the conditions for the conversion to the new energy-efficient technology. IE2 has been in place as the minimum efficiency since 2011. The second stage will now take effect since of January 1, 2017. Only motors in the power range from 7.5 to 375 kW complying with Energy Efficiency Class IE3 will be permitted for line operation in the European Economic Area from that date. This is a legal requirement. January 1, 2017, saw the expansion of statutory provisions on motor efficiency. Since this date, the energy efficiency class IE3 has been mandated for motors with power ratings from 0.75 to 7.5 kW, with laws now covering all motors ranging from 0.75 to 375 kW.

The most important facts about IE3

In 2011, the use of IE2 motors was prescribed by law
Since 1 January 2015 on, energy efficiency class IE3 will be mandatory for motors from 7.5 kW to 375 kW
Since 1 January 2017 on, energy efficiency class IE3 will apply to motors from 0,75 kW to 375 kW

Scope

For electric single speed, three-phase 50 or 50/60 Hz squirrel cage induction motor

Rated voltage up to 1,000 V
Rated power: 0.75 – 375 kW
Number of poles: 2, 4, or 6
Rated on the basis of continuous duty operation

Exceptions

Motors completely immersed in a liquid during operation
Motors that are fully integrated into a machine
Brake motors
other motor types
Motors specially designed for operation under the following conditions:
In force until 26 July 2014
>1,000 m above sea level
Ambient temperature > 40°C
Ambient temperature < -15°C or respectively < 0°C with air cooling
Cooling liquid temperatures < 5°C or > 25°C

Valid since 27 July 2014
>4,000 m above sea level
Ambient temperature > 60°C
Ambient temperature < -30°C or respectively < 0°C with air cooling
Cooling liquid temperatures < 0°C or > 32°C

Alternative: IE2 motor in combination with frequency converter

IE2 motors will still be permitted in conjunction with frequency converter operation, although the motor starter is always the better alternative at full speed.

Introduction: from Directive EuP to EC Motor Regulation
Directive 2009/125/EC Energy related Products – ErP (and the former version 2005/32/EC ( Eco-design Directive for Energy-using Products – EuP) establish a framework for the setting of general eco-design requirements to be fulfilled by energy-using products in view of increasing the energy efficiency of the products and the level of protection of the environment.
Within the framework of the Directive, specific Regulations have been issued for the setting of design and energy efficiency requirements, applicable to the products included in the scope of the Directive. Amongst these, Regulation 640/2009 EC establishes eco-design requirements for electric motors and their drives, in terms of energy efficiency levels.
Subject matter and scope
Regulation EC 640/2009 is applicable to electric motors, the type and size of which are defined in Article 2.1: single speed, three-phase, squirrel cage induction motors, with 2, 4 or 6 poles, rated voltage up to 1000V, rated power output between 0,75 to 375 kW (rating based on continuous duty).
Motors designed to operate wholly immersed in a liquid and motors completely integrated into a product of which the energy performance cannot be tested independently from the product (e.g. canned motor pumps), as well as motors for special applications (e.g. potentially explosive atmospheres – ATEX) are not included in the scope of the
Regulation.1
It follows that:
 submersible motors are excluded (even dry installed).
 deep well submersible motors are excluded
 motors are excluded from the Regulation if they are fully integrated into the pump unit (e.g. canned motor pump).
 motors of all designs of “close-coupled” pumps are covered by Regulation EC 640/2009. This includes motors with all types of shaft extensions and/or flanges.

New efficiency levels
Former efficiency levels were adopted by CEMEP2 as a result of a voluntary agreement based on testing methods and limits of acceptance defined under the IEC 60034-2: 1996. CEMEP efficiency levels were categorised as follows:

EFF3 = low efficiency level
EFF2 = standard efficiency level
EFF1 = high efficiency level

International efficiency levels have been defined in standard IEC 60034-30:2008, based on test methods and limits of acceptance indicated under IEC 60034-2-1:2007, as follows:

IE1 = standard efficiency (similar to EFF2)
IE2 = high efficiency (similar to EFF1)
IE3 = Premium Efficiency

These efficiency levels are listed in Annex I of the Regulation for levels IE 2 and IE 3.
Eco-design requirements and timetable
Eco-design requirements for electric motors shall be applied in accordance to the following timetable:
1. from June 16th, 2011: motors shall not be less efficient than the IE2 level;
2. from January 1st, 2015: motors with a rated output of 7,5 – 375 kW shall not be less efficient than IE3 or meet IE2, if equipped with a variable speed drive;
3. from January 1st, 2017: all motors with a rated power of 0,75 – 375 kW shall not be less efficient than IE3 or meet IE2, if equipped with a variable speed drive.
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tratto dal sito anima.it

Regolamento 640/2009/CE Ecodesign dei Motori Elettrici

An electric motor is usually defined as a device that converts electric energy into mechanical energy in the form of a rotation (torque and speed). A variable speed drive is an electronic device that can be used to adjust the rotation speed of an electric motor according to the needs of the application.

There are about 8 billion electric motors in use in the EU, consuming nearly 50% of the electricity EU produces.

The sector is very heterogeneous, with a considerable variety of technologies, applications and sizes, ranging from tiny motors, such as those driving cooling fans in computers, to huge motors in heavy industries.

Ecodesign requirements

Rules on ecodesign for electric motors and variable speed drives are mandatory for all manufacturers and suppliers wishing to sell their products in the EU.

The Regulation on electric motors and variable speed drives (EU) 2019/1781 enters into application as of 1 July 2021, replacing the Regulation on ecodesign for electric motors (EC) No 640/2009.

The new regulation has a broader scope and covers single speed, 50Hz, 60 Hz or 50/60Hz, induction motors

with 2 to 8 poles
with single phase or three-phase
rated output between 0.12kW and 1000kW
rated voltage from 50V to 1000V
rated on the basis of continuous duty operation and direct on-line operation

The energy efficiency of an electric motor is calculated as the ratio of the mechanical output power to the electrical input power. The energy efficiency level is expressed in International Energy efficiency classes (IE), IE1 being the lower class and IE5 the highest. Under the current regulation, motors must reach the IE2, IE3 or IE4 efficiency level depending on their rated power and other characteristics. For instance, three-phase motors with a rated output between 0.75kW and equal to or below 1000kW must reach the IE3 level by July 2021. Motors between 75kW and 200kW must meet the IE4 level as of July 2023. The EU is the first place worldwide making the IE4 level mandatory for some categories of motors.

Some motors designed for specific conditions are excluded from these rules, for example those that are immersed in a liquid such as in sewage systems.

The regulation also sets requirements the efficiency of variable speed drives. Variable speed drives have 2 levels of efficiency (IE1 and IE2) and the regulation requires all drives in scope to reach the IE2 level.

Both motors and drives are subject to information requirements, such as efficiency at different load points, in terms of speed and torque. This will help engineers to optimise the efficiency of entire systems.

Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 was amended in 2021 by the Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/341 that aims to clarify and improve some aspects of some of the ecodesign regulations adopted in 2019.

Energy savings

A more efficient motor can generate savings ranging from a few euros to several tens of thousands euros over its lifetime, depending on its power and use pattern.

More efficient motors under the former regulation were expected to bring 57 TWh of annual energy savings in the EU by 2020. Taking into account the overall effect of the revised regulation, the annual savings will increase to 110 TWh by 2030, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of the Netherlands. This means that 40 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year will be avoided and that the annual energy bill of EU households and industry will be reduced by approximately €20 billion by 2030.

Besides, increased usage of variable speed drives in relevant applications, such as a pump delivering a water flow that changes with time, can generate considerable savings at the application level. This is encouraged by the regulation by requiring manufacturers of both motors and drives to provide relevant energy efficiency data at different speed/torque points.

International cooperation

Electric motors represent around 50% of the global electricity consumption. Promoting market uptake of efficient motors and drives is an important contribution to the fight against climate change. The EU supports the Super-Efficient Equipment and Appliances Deployment (SEAD) Initiative bringing together countries across the world to cooperate in promoting efficient appliances. SEAD currently focuses particularly on electric motors, refrigeration, cooling and lighting and has set a goal of doubling the efficiency of these products sold globally by 2030, an ambition recently welcomed by G7 ministers. The new EU regulatory requirements entering into effect on 1 July contributes to this goal. The EU is also a member of the International Energy Agency 4E Electric Motors Systems Annex, which aims at raising worldwide awareness of the efficiency potential of motor systems and provides guidance and tools to exploit the energy performance of new and existing motor systems worldwide.