15. October 2021

New EU Regulation 2019/1781 for greater energy efficiency in electric motors and speed controls has been valid since 1st July 2021

more energy effiency of electric motors

The EU Commission is striving for a climate-neutral economy in Europe. In doing so, it aims to fulfil its commitments from the 2015 Paris Climate Conference. The goals to be achieved by 2030 are:

  • a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990),
  • a greater proportion of energy generated from renewable sources, and
  • an increase in energy efficiency of 32%.

By 2020, Regulation 640/2009, which had been valid until 30th June 2021, resulted in savings of approximately 57 TWh annually. An increase in energy efficiency is possible if further motors, which were previously not covered by the scope of Regulation (EU) 640/2009, as well as speed control systems, were to be included in new regulations.

With the new Regulation, (EU) 2019/1781 the ecodesign requirements for motors have therefore been adapted and new ones have been defined for speed control. The new Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 will take effect in 2 stages.

Entry into force of regulations on 1st July 2021

The first stage already came into force on 1st July 2021 and includes the following adjustments for motors:

  • Three-phase motors with cage rotor 50 Hz, or 50/60 Hz, extension to 60 Hz;
  • IE3: Extension of rated power from ≥ 0.75 kW to 1,000 kW;
  • Rated for continuous operation S1, S3 ≥ 80%ED, extension to S6 ≥ 80% ED;
  • Number of poles 2, 4, 6, extension to 8;
  • Inclusion of rated power from 0.12 kW to < 0.75 kW with IE2;
  • Inclusion of motors for potentially explosive atmospheres with the exception of Ex eb;
  • Inclusion of brake motors (the efficiency of which can be determined without using a brake);
  • Inclusion of Totally enclosed Air Over-Motors (TEAO) (IC 418).

In the case of frequency inverters (speed controls), it was recently specified that the power losses must not exceed a maximum value and correspond to efficiency class IE2.

Entry into force of regulations on 1st July 2023

The full implementation of the Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 will take place with the 2nd stage from 1 July 2023 onwards. The following adjustments shall take effect from that date:

  • Introduction of efficiency class IE4 for motors with rated power from 75 to 200 kW with pole numbers 2, 4 and 6, which are not brake motors and are not Ex eb or Ex motors of other types of ignition protection;
  • Inclusion of explosion-proof motors of ignition protection type Ex eb with rated power from 0.12 kW to 1,000 kW with an efficiency class IE2;
  • Single-phase motors ≥ 0.12 kW with an efficiency class IE2.

This means that a large number of motors will fall within the scope of the Regulation with immediate effect and in the future. These also include, for example, motors used in railway and shipbuilding applications.

For the first time, a provision was also made for the supply of replacement motors. This means that replacement motors can be supplied, if motors that were delivered before 1st July 2021 or 1st July 2023 are replaced by equivalent motors.

The Regulation (EU) 2021/341 also came into force on 1st July 2021. Article 2 contains important additions and corrections to the Regulation (EU) 2019/1781. The most important points are

  • the addition of minimum efficiency tables for 60 Hz in efficiency classes IE2, IE3 and IE4,
  • the clarification of the dates for the availability of replacement motors, and
  • the use of QR codes and a link relating to the provision of product information to customers.

VEM already meets these requirements. For further information on the energy efficiency of low-voltage motors, please contact the VEM sales staff. You are also welcome to send us your queries at newsletter@vem-group.com and we will try to answer them as best we can in our next issue of Impulse.

Scope of the EU Regulation 2019/1781 – from 1st July 2021 with related minimum efficiency class
Scope - from 1st July 2021Minimum efficiency class

Three-phase motors, ≥ 0.75 to 1,000 kW, 2-8 poles
(including brake motors, the efficiency of which can be determined without using a brake)

IE3
Three-phase motors, 0.12 to < 0.75 kWIE2

Explosion-proof three-phase motors, ≥ 0.75 to 1,000 kW, 2-8 poles
Ignition protection type "Pressure-resistant Encapsulation" Ex db, Ex db eb, Ex dc,
Ignition protection type "Increased Safety" Ex ec, and
"Protection with Housing" tb and tc

IE3

Explosion-proof three-phase motors
0.12 to < 0.75 kW
2, 4, 6 and 8 poles (does not apply to " Increased Safety" Ex eb)

IE2

Frequency inverter (speed control)
0.12 to 1,000 kW

IE2

On 1st July 2023, with the 2nd stage, the new Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 will then be fully implemented:

Scope of the EU Regulation 2019/1781 – from 1st July 2023 with related minimum efficiency class
Scope - from 1st July 2023Minimum efficiency class

Three-phase motors, ≥ 75.0 to 200 kW, 2, 4 and 6 poles
(does not apply to explosion-proof motors, brake motors, 8-pole motors)

IE4

Explosion-proof three-phase motors,
Ignition protection type "Increased Safety" Ex eb
0.12 to 1,000 kW
2, 4, 6 and 8 poles

IE2

Single-phase motors
≥ 0.12 kW

IE2

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