The split universal mounting kit version, Split uKIT, of the AEGIS® SGR bearing protection ring protects the bearings of variable-frequency drive motors from electrical damage, and allows quick and easy retrofitting of the ring on virtually any ac motor shaft without decoupling attached equipment.

Here are additional products that were exhibited at the 2012 AHR Expo, including components and software.

Driven by variable-frequency drives, the Gen2.0 PremiumPlus+™ brushless permanent magnet motors have motor-only rated point efficiencies of 93 percent and 92 percent for 3- and 5-hp versions respectively. They are packaged in standard NEMA frame sizes and mounting dimensions for easy substitution.

Time of use (TOU) rate structures have long been touted as a necessity for utility companies to incentivize homeowners and building owners enough to embrace demand response systems. According to John Galyen, president of Danfoss North America, “Smart meters will change the game.”

When it comes to motors, drives, and variable speed technology, manufacturers keep rolling out new products designed to increase efficiency. Here are just a few of the latest offerings that contractors may want to consider.

Megohmmeters (meggers) are electrical meters used to check the resistance and condition of the motor windings and the condition of the refrigeration and oil environment around the motor windings. A megger is nothing but a giant ohmmeter that creates a very large dc voltage (usually 500 volts dc) from its internal battery.

High-efficiency furnace motor Rescue EcoTech® dramatically upgrades the electrical efficiency of a furnace while lowering operating costs and improving comfort. Through its patented design, an ECM motor connects directly to the furnace board in just the same way as the existing PSC motor it is replacing.

The Eon 42 variable-speed, constant-torque motor is designed for direct-drive blower applications such as fan coils, kitchen ventilators, air curtains, and unit heaters/coolers. According to the manufacturer, the motor saves up to 56 percent of the electricity consumed by the motor.

Four replacement iMotors have been added to the iMotor line of electronically commutated motor (ECM) products. The motor design now has a total of 14 motors.