2. Getting involved
3. Standards Committees
4. DKE

DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE

Procedure

VN

Overview

This IEC standard provides for the global harmonization of energy-efficiency classes of variable speed electric motors. In principle, it deals with all types of low-voltage electric motors (induction motors, synchronous motors) that are rated for variable speed operation in their base speed range (constant torque operation). Variable voltage and variable frequency are provided by a frequency converter. For the time being, the standard IEC 60034-2-3, which is the testing basis of this document, is limited to AC induction motors. However, the relevant input-output procedure 2-3-C is applicable to all kinds of variable speed AC motors. This IEC standard regards motor efficiency when supplied by variable voltage and frequency. It does not contain provisions for losses in the power supply or the driven load. These losses must be included in the assessment of a complete drive system but they will be addressed in another standard. The purpose of this standard is to give a basis for determination of energy efficiency classes of motors of different technologies when operated on a frequency converter. The new class IE5V is not yet defined in detail but is envisaged for potential products in a future edition of the standard. It is not expected that all manufacturers will produce motors for all efficiency classes nor all ratings of a given class. Users should select the efficiency class in accordance with a given application depending on the actual operating hours. It may not be energy efficient to select IE2V or IE3V motors for intermittent or short time duty. The application guide IEC/TS 60034-31 gives further information on useful applications of high-efficient electric motors. IE-codes are not limited to motors but may be used to classify other components such as frequency converters and gearboxes. However, it is anticipated that other components are rated with a comparable system: IE1 meaning low efficiency up to IE5 meaning the highest efficiency. Combinations of components (such as power drive systems) will need a combined efficiency rating. That rating should not be an IE-code in order to avoid confusion. It will be defined in other IEC standards. The draft is published at an early stage to inform the public about the work. Therefore, the information in Table 1 is not yet available. The responsible committee is DKE/K311 "Drehende elektrische Maschinen" ("Rotating electrical machines") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.

Responsible national committee

DKE/K 311 - Drehende elektrische Maschinen