Weg develops hybrid post-standards approach to energy saving 22 March 2012

High efficiency motors manufacturer Weg says its latest motor and drive designs (both LV and MV) exceed the requirements of the latest IEC 60034-30:2009, a harmonised IE (International Efficiency) grading standard, which is central to the EU's eco-design directive 2005/32/EC.

The company cites its new WQuattro line of super premium efficiency motors, which employ a hybrid design to achieve the highest efficiency, exceeding the requirements of the impending IE4 Super Premium Efficiency classification across their entire output range.

Weg says its WQuattro line was developed for plant users who consider energy saving a major priority. It claims no energy (joule) losses from its rotor – meaning not only a lower total cost of ownership, but also a reduction in CO2 emissions.

What's clever is that the WQuattro is a hybrid motor integrating a conventional three-phase distributed winding, and a rotor with an aluminium cage and internal high energy magnets. This combination makes the device ideal for direct-on-line starting and acceleration up to synchronous speed.

With this type of operation the motor speed does not vary with load, despite overload variations, or cases of voltage drop, as long as the mains frequency is maintained.

Moreover, there is no requirement for positioning/speed sensors, or special protection relays, and the low bearing temperatures that result from synchronous operation also ensure longer life and reduced maintenance for the motors.

It's a similar story with Weg's permanent magnet (PM) motors. The company states that its new WMagnet series will bring PM motors into mainstream usage, delivering higher efficiencies – up to 97.5% – compared to equivalent size induction motors, and size down 50% and weight 36%.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
WEG Electrical Motors (UK) Ltd

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