The Motor Generator section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently joined forces with the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (www.aceee.org/) to draft and recommend new motor efficiency regulations covering both general purpose and some categories of definite and special purpose electrical motors.

NEMA’s work came to fruition late last year when President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) into law (Public Law 140-110). NEMA actively participated in crafting major provisions of the EISA legislation.  A critical provision that NEMA focused on was increased motor efficiency levels. The EISA law was approved and signed on December 19, 2007.

The cost of operating a typical electrical motor is over 95 percent power and only 5 percent initial cost and maintenance, according to Rob Boteler, chairman of the NEMA marketing committee.

EISA will raise the motor efficiency level within 36 months of enactment helping to maximize the energy savings potential afforded by NEMA Premium efficient motors.

NEMA believes this action will help to decrease America’s reliance upon foreign sources of energy, and when used in conjunction with programs such as the Department of Energy’s “Save Energy Now,” will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A summary of new EISA standards for motors used today follows:

* General purpose motors (subtype I) manufactured after December 19, 2010, with a power rating of at least 1 horsepower but not greater than 200 horsepower, shall have a nominal full-load efficiency that is not less than as defined in NEMA MG– 1 (2006) Table 12–12 (aka “NEMA Premium” efficiency levels).

* General purpose motor (subtype II), with a power rating of at least 1 horsepower but no more than 200 horsepower, manufactured after December 19, 2010, shall have a nominal full-load efficiency that is not less than as defined in NEMA MG–1 (2006) Table 12–11. Subtype II motors now include:

o U-Frame motor

o design C motor

o close-coupled pump motor

o footless motor

o vertical solid-shaft normal thrust motor (tested in a horizontal configuration)

o 8-pole motor (900 rpm)

o poly-phase motor with voltage of no more than 600 volts (other than 230 or 460   volts)

* Fire pump motors manufactured after December 19, 2010 shall have nominal full-load efficiency no less than as defined in NEMA MG-1 (2006) Table 12-11.

* NEMA Design B, general purpose electric motor, with a power rating at least 200 horsepower but no more than 500 horsepower, manufactured after December 19, 2010, shall have a nominal full-load efficiency that is not less than as defined in NEMA MG–1 (2006) Table 12–11.

The members of the NEMA Motor Generator Section are committed to supplying American industry with the opportunity to reduce operating costs through the application of the most efficient electrical motors available in the world.

NEMA is the trade association for the electrical manufacturing industry. It is headquartered near Washington, D.C., in Rosslyn, Va. The 450 member companies of NEMA manufacture products used in the generation, transmission and distribution, control, and end-use of electricity.