National Electric Motor Association, or NEMA, and the US Department of Energy have long steered industrial motors’ design and manufacturing processes. Whether it’s a synchronous motor, induction motor or a single/three phase motor, the motor industry has come a long way. If we take a look three decades ago, efficiency standards were nascent and seldom enforced, while today they form core values of any industry.
For instance, users purchasing 1 – 500 horsepower motors must ensure it is rated at NEMA Premium Efficiency Levels. A prime factor for energy efficient innovations in the motor industry has been the rising cost of energy. This has made such improvements a necessary to keep profits high.
In addition, breakthroughs in the analysis of airflow within motors that have allowed development of a rigid shaft motor at two-pole speeds. Operating motors at 3600 rpm or at a variable speed range through VFDs presented hurdles with respect to meeting the increased vibrations. Rigid shaft motors have allowed motors a power rating of up to 8000 hp, minus the vibratory issues.
These innovations can be summed up as follows:
While motors have evolved in the last three decades, their control mechanism has also come a long way. VFDs have also matured over the years, with raised operational efficiencies, alleviated harmonics and integration within modern SCADA systems that have complimented the monitoring, control and lifespan of industrial motors.
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