Over the past 10 years, most motor manufacturers have introduced a “higher-than-standard-efficiency” line of motors in industrial (1- to 200-hp) sizes, according to Donald A. Lanser, director of marketing for the Dayton Motor Division, Emerson Electric Co. (St. Louis).
Through the education of motor buyers and users, these high-efficiency motors have risen to nearly 20% of the market, he added. “That leaves 80% of 1- to 200-hp motors sold still on the lower, standard-efficiency platform.”
Both Canada and the United States have developed regulations and laws that help reduce energy consumption by mandating new efficiency standards, he continued. Starting in late 1997, all general-purpose three-phase induction motors manufactured for use in the United States and Canada have to meet these minimum efficiency levels.