Corporate

ADVANCED ENERGY'S MOTORS AND DRIVES TEST LAB ACHIEVES THIRD PARTY TEST DATA PROGRAM STATUS WITH UL

Raleigh, N.C. (Aug. 1, 2011) Advanced Energy's Motors and Drives test lab — the first motor lab in the world to achieve National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) compliance for motor efficiency testing through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)—recently achieved acceptance to participate in UL's (Underwriters Laboratories) Third Party Test Data Program. This certification enables Advanced Energy to conduct motor efficiency testing for single-phase and three-phase electric motors and submit results directly to UL.

“With this certification, Advanced Energy now has the capabilities to test for several standards that we had not been certified for in the past, allowing us to test small motors for efficiency,” says Kitt Butler, director, Motors and Drives, Advanced Energy. “As efficiency standards for these smaller motors are expected to be regulated for the first time in 2015, Advanced Energy continues to collaborate with UL in an effort to assist manufacturers of electric motors to meet the increasing regulations for improved energy efficiency as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).”

“This enables UL to be a 'one-stop shop' for our customers – providing a single-source for motor efficiency and safety that result in a better end product for consumers,” says Giuseppe Barisan, UL's Global Motor Business Manager. “We're doing all we can to address the industry's need for third-part validation for motor efficiency testing in the United States, and the possibility of DOE expanded increased surveillance enforcement for electric motors meant we wanted to provide a valid resource with a collaborator who can provide the motor efficiency testing capability. Working together, UL and Advanced Energy will be better able to leverage our services for customers worldwide and help streamline their processes for third party validation.”

Third-party validation of motor efficiency is already required in Canada. And as many of the U.S. ENERGY STAR® programs are now requiring third-party validation of certification, this partnership offers a more resourceful certification process for customers of both UL and Advanced Energy needing energy and safety certification. Now, working in tandem with UL, Advanced Energy's customers can submit motors for all of the efficiency certifications they need in the U.S. and other countries where UL is recognized.

The electric motor is a critical component in many plant applications and is used in a wide range of equipment in almost every sector of the economy – from pumps, compressors and fans to power tools, hoists and vacuum cleaners to automotive and aerospace applications. It is estimated that 50 percent of all electricity generated in the U.S. is converted into mechanical energy by electric motors. Recent energy efficiency regulations hold the potential for dramatic energy savings – and more regulations are on the way. Both UL and Advanced Energy are working closely with the DOE and National Resources Canada to anticipate future requirements. Rising energy costs and these new legislation/regulations are now moving efficiency to the top of the enforcement checklist.

About UL
UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 115 years of history. Employing more than 6,800 professionals in over 96 countries, UL has five distinct business units — Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, University, and Verification Services — to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission. Additional information about UL may be found at UL.com.

About Advanced Energy
Advanced Energy is a Raleigh, N.C.-based nonprofit committed to a future in which energy needs are met at reasonable costs, helping customers improve the return on their energy investment. With expertise in motors and drives and industrial process technologies, Advanced Energy provides solutions through consulting, testing, and training. At its Motors and Drives Lab, Advanced Energy provides access to cutting edge state-of-the-art testing of motors, drives and industrial process technologies.

The first motor lab in the world to achieve National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) compliance for motor efficiency testing through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Advanced Energy remains the only independent motor lab in North America to hold this accreditation. Assisting with validating motors, drives and related products, we provide consulting, training, testing and research for motor manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, distributors, importers, motor service centers, utilities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.advancedenergy.org/md.