(EngineerLive)
Time is now running out for orginial equipment manufacturers (OEM) that export equipment to the North American continent. The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, comes into effect on 19th December this year throughout the USA. Canada is also adopting such legislation that will go into effect on the 1st January 2011, governing the efficiency of electric motors incorporated into all machinery.
The act will replace the current EPAct legislation which has been in force since 1997 and covers low voltage, “General Purpose” 3-phase electric motors from 1-200HP (0.75 - 150 kW). It will enforce a rise in the minimum efficiency of these machines from NEMA Energy Efficient to NEMA Premium Efficient. The new law will go further as it also encompasses motors not previously within the EPAct scope. The result is that almost all low voltage, 3-phase electrical induction motors will be covered by this new legislation. It can be summarised as follows:
- 1-200 HP General Purpose motors currently covered by EPAct will change from NEMA Energy Efficient to NEMA Premium Efficient.
- 1-200 HP motors not covered in point 1 above will comply with NEMA Energy Efficient.
- 201-500 HP motors will comply with NEMA Energy Efficient.
The new EISA legislation is very broad in its coverage (contrary to the EU’s new legislation), as it encompasses virtually all types of low voltage, 3 phase motor such as Explosion proof; Severe Duty; Vertical duty; 2, 4, 6 and 8 pole; Brake motors; all mounting types and any frame type, NEMA or IEC metric.
By the end of this year, almost all low voltage, 3-phase electric motors exported to the US and Canada will be subject to new legislation. Therefore, it would be wise to be ready for this and review any machinery designs that incorporate such motors as soon as possible. Read more here.
