Drives & Controls March 2023

48 www.drivesncontrols.com xxxx 2013 MOTORS n Single-phase motors must soon comply with efficiency regs A new dawn for single-phase motors is coming. While three-phase motors have been required to meet increasingly higher levels of efficiency in recent years, single-phase motors have so far escaped similar demands. This will change on 1 July, 2023. From this date, most single-phase motors will be required to meet or exceed IE2 levels of efficiency to comply with EU EcoDesign regulation EU2019/1781. This will be mandatory for single-phase motors with rated outputs upwards of 0.12kW. Variable-speed drives intended for use with single-phase motors will also have to meet new efficiency standards compatible with the new motor requirements. The new regulation establishes EcoDesign requirements for placing single-phase electric motors and VSDs on the market, or putting them into service, including where they are integrated into other products. There are some single-phase motors to which these new efficiency requirements will not apply. Typically, such motors are designed to operate under specific conditions or configured to perform a particular function. Exempt motors might, for example, be employed in difficult environments and/or used for applications that make it impossible for the new efficiencies to be implemented. Achieving the new levels of efficiency to meet IE2 will come at a cost, because the motors will need to incorporate more active materials – in particular, low-loss steel laminations and copper. This could lead to possible changes either to frame sizes or to performance, or perhaps even to both. It might not be possible to produce dual- voltage (230/115V) motors, while dual- frequency (50/60Hz) machines will present their own issues. Also, 60Hz motors will be challenging and more costly to produce because of the winding losses incurred at the higher running speeds. Due to current production lead times, it is vitally important that any OEM or end-user of single-phase motors should ensure either that they comply with the new regulations, or will have an assured continuation of supply from their current motor supplier after the summer of 2023. The worry is that many machine- builders are still in the dark regarding this important mandatory legislation and this might have significant impact on their production planning. Many motor manufacturers have decided that the new legislation is far too complex and demanding to comply with and, have consequently dropped single-phase motors from their ranges entirely. One exception is Lafert Electric Motors, which has actually expanded the range of power ratings that it offers because it has already made the required design changes. Furthermore, the company’s flexible designs will allow it to offer many variations of customised shafts and flanges, along with specific electrical designs For guidance on the new regulatory requirements, including possible exceptions, you should consult a motor specialist. n From July this year, single-phase motors will have to comply with EU efficiency regulations for the first time. This has far-reaching implications, as Brian Bannister, managing director of Lafert Electric Motors, explains. A close-coupled pump powered by a Lafert single-phase motor