MotorEffic&PF CM5
MotorEffic&PF CM5
MotorEffic&PF CM5
Motor Efficiency
and Power Factor
ME 416/516
Motivation
More than half of all electric energy generated
goes to power electric motors.
Electric motor converts electric power into shaft
power. In thermodynamics terms, this is simply
converting work from one form to another.
The Second Law allows electric motors to have
a theoretical efficiency of 100%.
In reality, several types of power loss occur from
where electricity leaves power plant to the point
where shaft power leaves the motor.
ME 416/516
Electric Power Losses
1. Transmission and transformer I
2
R and hysteresis
losses of real power component.
2. Transmission and transformer losses of
imaginary power component.
3. Losses in the motor resulting from winding
losses, frictional losses, etc.
Loss 1 can be reduced by transmitting power at
higher voltage: Power = VI and Loss = I
2
R.
Same power can be transmitted by increasing V
and reducing I: losses are reduced as 1/V
2
.
ME 416/516
Electric Power Losses (Contd)
Losses can also be reduced by decreasing R,
but this means larger conductors (heavier wire)
and copper is expensive.
Loss 2 can be reduced by lowering imaginary,
reactive part of current, which is accomplished
by power factor improvement, discussed next.
Loss 3 can be reduced by using more efficient
motors, where electric motor efficiency is
defined as:
= Shaft Power Out/Electric Power In
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Motor Ratings
An electric motors nameplate or rated power is
its output power, not its electric input power.
Electric power consumption is rated power
divided by motor efficiency.
Rated power depends on class of motor (which
considers intended duty). Industrial grade
motors usually are rated for continuous duty.
Motor efficiency requirements are set by 1992
Energy Policy Act (EPACT), primarily for larger
motors as used in industry and HVAC.
ME 416/516
1992 EPACT Selected Full-Load Motor
Efficiency Requirements
Open Motors Closed Motors
hp 2 pole 4 pole 6 pole 2 pole 4 pole 6 pole
1 --- 82.5 80.0 72.5 82.5 80.0
5 85.5 87.5 87.5 87.5 87.5 87.5
10 88.5 89.5 90.2 89.5 89.5 89.5
20 90.2 91.0 91.0 90.2 91.0 90.2
50 92.4 93.0 93.0 92.4 93.0 93.0
100 93.0 94.1 94.1 93.6 94.5 94.1
200 94.5 95.0 94.5 95.0 95.0 95.0
ME 416/516
Energy Savings through Electric
Motor Efficiency Improvement
EPACT was passed in 1992 but motor efficiency
provisions took effect in 1997.
Commercial, institutional and, particularly,
industrial operations use substantial amounts of
power for electric motors.
Although high or premium efficiencies may
have only a few percentage points better
efficiencies and may cost thousands of dollars
more, they often are good investments.
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Example- Elevator Motor
An elevator in an Orange Beach condominium lifts
an elevator weighing 5500 lbf at a rate of 5 ft/s. The
elevator operates 7 hr/day in APCo summer months
and 3 hr/day in winter months using an 85% efficient
motor installed when the condo was built. Consider
a replacement 95% efficient Baldor Super-E motor
costing $3500 + $500 installation. Assuming an
interest rate of 4%, electricity inflation rate of 4%,
overall inflation rate of 2.5%, 40% tax rate, 5-yr
depreciation, a 10% tax credit and no salvage value,
does it make sense to change motors? The condo
is a APCo Rate LPM customer.
ME 416/516
Example (Contd)
See Elevator Example Excel Spreadsheet
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Power Factor Correction
Electrical loss 2 between power plant and useful
work output of motor was the transmission and
transformer I
2
R and hysteresis losses resulting
from the imaginary component of the power.
This loss applies whenever an imaginary
component is present- not just for motors.
Power factor (PF) correction can reduce loss by
reducing imaginary component magnitude.
PF correction is relatively simple and economical,
and often yields large energy and cost savings.
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What Is Power Factor?
The total power in units of kVA is given by:
kVA = Volts * Amps * (N
ph
)
1/2
* 10
-3
where Volts and Amps are the measured rms
voltage and current and N
ph
is the number of
phases (1 or 3).
The relation between total power, reactive power
and real power is shown in the "power triangle".
For AC service, total power is the
vector sum of the real power and
reactive (imaginary) power.
ME 416/516
Power Factor Triangle