For Industry
Electric motors
Overview
Electric motors are used in a wide range of applications, from large industrial equipment such as in mining operations, down to small household appliances like hair dryers.
Most electric motors draw less than 0.75 kW of power and are used in the residential and commercial sectors, for example inside refrigerators and computer hard drives. They account for only a small proportion of all electric motor power consumption.
The largest proportion of motor electricity consumption is attributable to mid-size motors with output powers of 0.75 to 375 kW. These motors are predominantly used in industrial applications such as power pumps, compressors and fans.
At a Glance
|
Determination |
Minimum Energy Performance Standards |
Energy Rating Label |
|---|---|---|
|
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Three Phase Cage Induction Motors) Determination 2019 |
Yes |
No |
Legislation
In Australia, this product is regulated under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012.
In New Zealand, the relevant legislation is the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002. Visit the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website for more information.
What products are covered?
Electric motors covered by this Determination are three phase cage induction motors with:
- output power from 0.73 kW up to, but not including, 185 kW
- rated voltages of up to 1100 V, alternating current (AC), and
- 2, 4, 6 or 8 poles.
To be covered by the Determination, a product must be an induction motor with secondary cage (squirrel cage) winding/s that consist of a number of conducting bars that have their extremities connected by conducting rings or plates at each end.
Generally, three phase cage induction motors that are incorporated into machines need to meet Australia’s and New Zealand’s regulatory requirements and must be registered before they can be offered for supply.
Refer to section 11 of the Determination for more details.
What products are not covered?
Single phase motors are not included in the Determination. However, there may be other state or federal laws (for example, electrical safety laws) that may apply to single phase motors. You may wish to contact the agency responsible for electrical safety in your state or territory for further information.
A motor is not covered by the Determination if it:
- shares common components, apart from connectors such as bolts, with the driven unit, and
- cannot operate as a motor if separated from the driven unit, even if a temporary end shield or a drive-end bearing is fitted.
In addition, the Determination does not cover:
- submersible (sealed) motors, specifically designed to operate wholly immersed in a liquid
- motors that can run at two or more discrete speeds by using switchgear to reconfigure the connection of the motor’s winding or windings to the supply
- motors that are to be used only for short-time duty cycle applications which have a duty type rating of S2 – short-time duty
- motors that have had their insulated winding or windings replaced, and for which the supplier has not made any claim that it meets the Minimum Energy Performance Standards
- motors supplied exclusively to third parties who will incorporate the motors into equipment that will be exported to a country other than Australia or New Zealand
- high slip motors designed primarily to provide torque, often at or near 100 per cent slip.
Refer to section 12 of the Determination for more details.
Technical requirements
For technical requirements regarding electric motors, including testing requirements and Minimum Energy Performance Standards, review the relevant Determination and standards.
The following standards are referenced in this Determination and are available for purchase online. The versions of the standards that apply are the versions that existed on 3 July 2019, when the Determination was made.
Standards
-
International Electrotechnical Commission
- IEC 60034-1 Ed. 13.0 (Bilingual 2017) Rotating electrical machines – Part 1: Rating and Performance.
- IEC 60034-2-1 Ed. 2.0 (Bilingual 2014) Rotating electrical machines – Part 2-1: Standard methods for determining losses and efficiency from tests (excluding machines for traction vehicles).
- IEC 60034-30-1 Ed. 1.0 (Bilingual 2014) Rotating electrical machines – Part 30-1: Efficiency classes of line operated AC motors (IE code).
- IEC 60050-411 Ed. 2.0 (Bilingual 1996) International Electrotechnical Vocabulary – Chapter 411: Rotating machinery.
-
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standards Association
- IEEE 112:2004 Test Procedure for Polyphase Induction Motors and Generators.
- IEEE 112:2017 Test Procedure for Polyphase Induction Motors and Generators.
Minimum Energy Performance Standards
The Minimum Energy Performance Standards are established in the Determination. Each motor must meet a specified efficiency at 75 per cent or 100 per cent of rated load.
- For a motor with a rated output power included in Table 1 in Schedule 1 of the Determination, it must meet the minimum efficiency value specified in the table.
- For a motor with a rated output power in between the values specified in Table 1 in Schedule 1 of the Determination, the value it must meet must be determined in accordance with the method specified in Clause 5.4.5 or 5.4.6, as appropriate, of IEC 60034-30-1 Ed. 1.0.
For more information, see section 14 of the Determination.
High efficiency levels
To be designated as ‘high efficiency’, a motor must meet a specified efficiency level, at 75 per cent or 100 per cent of rated load.
- For a motor with a rated output power included in Table 2 in Schedule 1 of the Determination, it must meet the efficiency value specified in the table.
- For a motor with a rated output power in between the values specified in Table 2 in Schedule 1 of the Determination, the value it must meet must be determined in accordance with the method specified in Clause 5.4.5 or 5.4.6, as appropriate, of IEC 60034-30-1 Ed. 1.0.
See section 21 of the Determination for more information on high efficiency levels.
Testing your product
Electric motors must be tested in accordance with Subclause 6.1.3 of IEC 60034-2-1 Ed. 2.0, unless:
- the model is tested using the alternative test methods set out in Method B (Test Procedure for Polyphase Induction Motors and Generators) of IEEE 112:2004 or IEEE 112:2017
- the model is a totally enclosed air over motor, in which case the modifications in Subsections 15 (3), 15 (4) and 15 (5) of the Determination apply.
For more information on testing requirements for electric motors, see sections 15 and 22 and Schedule 2 of the Determination.
Labelling requirements
This product is not required to display an Energy Rating Label. However, they must carry rating plates that meet the requirements of Clause 10 of IEC 60034-1. Rating plates must be marked with numerous items including (but not limited to) manufacturer’s name or mark, output, rated voltage and efficiency class.