Three Phase Electric Motors
Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for three-phase electric motors were introduced in 2002. MEPS for motors are prescribed in the joint Australia/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1359.5. The Standard covers motors rated from 0.73 kW up to but not including 185 kW, in 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-pole configurations, and includes voltages rated up to 1100 V a.c.
In addition to specifying minimum efficiency values for motors, the Standard also specifies the minimum efficiency that a motor needs to meet in order to be able to claim “high efficiency”.
MEPS for motors increased from 16 June 2006
To lift motor efficiency to a new level, the MEPS and high efficiency requirements for motors were increased on 16 June 2006.
The new MEPS Standard
Sections 2 and 3 of AS/NZS 1359.5:2004 contain “Efficiency Table Guides” for MEPS and high efficiency levels for motors (Tables 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2).
These tables include the “date to be advised” for the introduction of the new MEPS in New Zealand. As mentioned above, this date is 16 June 2006 - the date on which the 2004 edition of the Standard was cited in Schedule 1 of the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002.
Motors imported on or after this date that do not meet the new standard cannot be legally sold in New Zealand. Existing stocks of motors that were in New Zealand before 16 June can still be sold, if they complied with the 2002 MEPS requirements.
The motors Standard is available from the Standards New Zealand website.
Exemptions
Motors that do not need to comply with MEPS include:
- motors normally submersed in a liquid
- motors integral with the equipment, that cannot be separated e.g. some gear motors
- motors that run on different speeds by using switchgear to reconfigure the connection of windings (variable or multi-speed motors)
- motors rated for short duty applications such as hoists and roller doors
- rewound motors (except when the supplier claims it meets one of the efficiency levels in the standard)
- motors granted exemption by EECA due to key design aspects
Registration*
All motors must be registered and undergo a performance test. New Zealand operates a joint energy efficiency programme with Australia, sharing standards and a website. Models registered in Australia for the Australia/ New Zealand market do not need extra registration to be sold in New Zealand. To check which products are registered see the energy rating website. It’s free to register products.
Sales data
In order to track the effectiveness of MEPS, importers and manufacturers are required to supply EECA with annual sales data and energy efficiency information.
* Although the term ‘registration’ is used in the Standard, the legal requirement in New Zealand is to ‘complete and submit the prescribed forms’. The prescibed form for three phase electric motors is the Application for registration in Appendix C of AS/NZS 1359.5:2005. This can be completed online at www.energyrating.gov.au and submitted to the New Zealand regulator.