Energy efficiency classes: Current regulations and upcoming changes

What is applicable in the European Union?

Standard asynchronous IE1 efficiency class motors may be used for applications in which a drive is only required for short periods. They are designed to achieve the best use of material and lowest investment costs. This is also possible for S3 < 80% or short-term operation according to the new Ecodesign guideline since July 2021. However, the regions where these motors are approved for S1 operation will become fewer. It the geared motors need to be moved, selection of IE1 drives may be advantageous, because they are lighter in weight and therefore less mass needs to be moved.
The first major step towards increasing efficiency had to be taken by motor manufacturers in preparation for June 2011, where the currently valid Directive 640/2009 bindingly specified the use of IE2 motors for continuous operation. Within a year, this doubled the number of IE2 motors in use, while the use of IE1 motors decreased dramatically. For the first time, a significant number of IE3 motors were sold, however their sales only increased when their use became mandatory above 7.5 kW in 2015, and for all powers since 2017.

Since 1 July 2021, more new energy efficiency rules for three-phase electric motors have come into effect with the aforementioned new Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1781, which have an impact on explosion-protected electric motors and proven standard electric motors. Among others, the change implies the following new rules: Energy efficiency class IE3 applies to 3-phase asynchronous motors with rated powers from ≥0.75 kW to ≤1,000 kW, and now also for 8-pole motors that have so far been an exception. Up to now, the maximum power above which IE3 has been prescribed, was ≤375 kW. Provisions for the smaller 3-phase asynchronous motors with rated powers from ≥0.12 kW to <0.75 kW have been newly added. They must now comply with energy efficiency class IE2. The same applies to 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-pole motors. The IE3 as well as the IE2 classes now also include explosion-protected electric motors of ignition protection types Ex tb, Ex tc, Ex ec and Ex d. Previous exceptions for brake motors, inverter-operated motors and explosion-protected motors have been annulled.

Keeping an eye on changes as per July 2023

On 1 July 2023, efficiency rules will become more stringent. Energy efficiency class IE2 will then apply to explosion-protected (ignition protection type Ex eb) 3-phase asynchronous motors with rated powers from ≥0.12 kW to ≤1,000 kW and for 1-phase asynchronous motors ≥0.12 kW. Energy efficiency class IE4 will be mandatory for 3-phase asynchronous motors from ≥75 kW to ≤200 kW for 2-, 4- or 6-pole motors. Exceptions are brake motors and explosion-protected electric motors.

Standard asynchronous IE1 efficiency class motors may be used for applications where a drive is only required for short periods. They are designed to achieve the best use of material and lowest investment costs. Even after the new Ecodesign Regulation in force since July 2021, this is possible for S3 < 80% or short-term operation. However, the regions where these motors are approved for S1 operation will become fewer. It the geared motors need to be moved, selection of IE1 drives may be advantageous, because they are lighter in weight and therefore less mass needs to be moved.

Comparison of energy efficiency IE3 and IE5+

UNIVERSAL motor complies with the new Ecodesign Regulation

Due to the tightening in force since 01 July 2021 with regards to the energy efficiency of electric motors and speed controls, the use of IE3 motors in additional power ranges is thus not only economically more attractive but also mandatory. With the energy-efficient NORD UNIVERSAL motor for power ranges from 0.12 to 45 kW, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS offers an economic IE3 motor that complies with all international regulations. Where previously IE2 motors could be used in combination with frequency inverters, higher standards are now being applied to energy efficiency. In the EU, the IE3 efficiency class regulation has not so far been applied to drives below 0.75 kW, whereas in China the IE3 class has been mandatory for all 3-phase induction motors with 120 W and higher since June 2021. The UNIVERSAL motor covers this power range. It has been certified according to all common standards for use throughout the world. It therefore allows for the systematic reduction of variants and offers decisive cost advantages, especially for international projects. It can be used for the main global markets in Europe, USA, Canada, China, India, Russia and Ukraine without further adjustments. This significant reduction of variants is possible through the certification of the UNIVERSAL motor according to CE, UL, CSA, CCC, EAC, ISI and others. Specifically for globally distributed machines and systems, and for international projects, the reduction of country-specific variants results in significant cost savings for system integrators and operators. Fewer variants and part numbers have to be processed and managed, the drive selection is easier and the procurement efforts are reduced.