Understanding (EU) 2019/1781
Since 2009, the EU have been working to establish a framework to set a standard for energy
related products sold within the member states*. July 2021 sees the regulations relating to low voltage electric
motors extended, with further changes due July 2023.
*the United Kingdom will continue to adopt the IE efficiency standards post-Brexit.
WEG has a range of guides available to download discussing the change in legislation and what it means for you.
changes at a glance
From July 1st 2021, three-phase single speed motors 50 Hz, 60 Hz and 50/60 Hz for direct on-line operation with continuous duty defined as S1, S3 equal to or greater than 80% and S6 equal to or greater than 80% are included in the regulations.
Electric motors with a power output from 0.12 kW to 0.75 kW must have a minimum energy efficiency standard IE2. Electric motors with a power output of 0.75 kW to 1,000 kW must have a minimum energy efficiency standard IE3.
Motors with protection types Ex tb, Ex
tc, Ex ec, Ex db and Ex db eb for hazardous areas are included in the regulation as are brake motors.
For the first time, variable speed drives are included in the scope of the legislation with IE2 efficiency class mandatory for all drives
From 1st July 2021 until 3th June 2029 in addition to the repair of motors in use, identical replacement motors may be supplied if the original motors were placed on the market before 1st July 2022. These motors must be specifically marketed as such. A statement that the motor must only be used as a replacement part must be applied to the motor and packaging and included in the documentation.
From July 1st 2023, the regulations will be further extended so that three-phase motors 0.12 kW up to 0.75 kW must meet IE2 efficiency rating and three-phase motors 0.75 kW to 1,000 kW must meet IE3 efficiency rating. Three-phase motors, 2, 4 and 6 pole 75 kW up to 200 kW must meet IE4 efficiency rating.
Single-phase motors 0.12 kW an above must meet IE2
efficiency rating.
Brake motors with external brakes 0.12 kW up to 0.75kW must meet IE2 efficiency rating and brake motors with external brakes 0.75 kW up to 1,000 kW must meet IE3 efficiency rating.
Motors with protection types Ex tb, Ex tc, Ex ec, Ex db and Ex db eb for hazardous areas of 0.12 kW up to 0.75 kW must meet IE2 efficiency rating and motors with protection types Ex tb, Ex tc, Ex ec, Ex db and Ex db eb for hazardous areas of 0.75 kW up to 1,000 kW must meet IE3 efficiency rating.
Ex eb motors 0.12 kW and 1,000 kW must meet IE2 efficiency rating.
The information included in the new standards relates to stand-alone drives. For applications in panels please refer to the applicable standards.