IE5 Ultra-Premium Motor Efficiency For Explosive Environments

In what is believed to be a world-first, customers operating in hazardous area industries can now ensure safety and boost their energy efficiency by deploying motors that offer up to 40% lower energy losses than commonly used IE3 motors.

The new version of the IE5 SynRM motor has been developed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres across a wide range of demanding variable speed industrial applications. It offers accurate control and high efficiency throughout the speed range, even at partial loads. This makes it a good upgrade choice for standard induction motors in pumps, fans and compressors for industries where explosive gas, vapour or dust might be present, such as oil and gas, chemicals, wood processing and flour milling.

In addition to energy savings, the new SynRM Increased Safety motors can help customers specify a more cost-effective installation. For example, in Zone 1, the cooler running design could allow the use of an increased safety motor where a flameproof motor with a special enclosure would be the traditional choice. While in Zone 2, the improved loadability of SynRM motors, which enables more power to be delivered from the same size as an induction motor, is important. This could allow a smaller, and therefore lower-cost, motor to fulfil the same duty.

Stefan Floeck, Division President IEC Low Voltage Motors at ABB, said: “We have achieved a significant world-first by bringing the benefits of IE5 ultra-premium efficiency to the hazardous area sector. Adopting best-in-class technology has made our IE5 SynRM motors a gamechanger for operators in a wide range of industries. They see the capability to improve energy efficiency as key to achieving their net zero ambitions while optimising business costs.”

A key benefit of IE5 SynRM Increased Safety motors is that they run cooler than standard designs. Bearing temperatures are reduced by up to 15°C and winding temperatures by up to 30°C. This provides increased reliability, prolongs the motor’s lifetime and reduces maintenance needs.

The SynRM design combines the performance advantages of permanent magnet technology, with the simplicity and service-friendliness of an induction platform. To ensure an environmentally friendly design, the motors don’t contain magnets or rare earth metals.

IE5 SynRM Increased Safety motors are available with an output power of 5.5 to 315kW in frame sizes IEC 132-315.