Motors and Drives

NEMA Premium Motors

Motors are the work horses of industry and are major consumers of electricity. At Advanced Energy, we have found that motors can be used as a means to reduce electrical consumption, optimize system reliability, and decrease operating expenses.

One way to reduce energy consumption is to use premium efficient electric motors. These motors have efficiency levels that carry the NEMA Premium™ label, a program sponsored by the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association (NEMA). NEMA is a voluntary group of electrical manufacturers that are recognized as North America's authority on motors. Many manufacturers, distributors, end users, consultants, and others rely on NEMA as a trusted resource and expert. NEMA's membership includes 17 member motor companies, representing 80% of the U.S. market.

Currently, there is no industry "consensus" specification defining high efficiency and premium efficiency motors. However, recent incidences such as supply issues and deregulation have highlighted the need to optimize motor system efficiency. This brand of motor goes beyond the Energy Policy Act of 1992, which imposes efficiency standards for 1-200 horsepower general purpose motors. The NEMA Premium brand sets a clear standard that offers significant cost savings which benefit consumers and the environment.

When to Consider NEMA Premium Motors

It makes good sense to consider motors that carry the NEMA Premium brand:

For all new motor installations
When purchasing new equipment packages
For major facility or process modifications
Instead of rewinding an older standard efficiency motor
As part of an ongoing preventive maintenance or energy conservation program

Savings Potential

According to an Industrial Motor Systems Market Opportunity Assessment by the U.S. Department of Energy, on average the manufacturing sector could reduce industrial motor energy use by 11-18 percent using mature, proven efficiency technologies and practices.

Positive Environmental Impacts

Using NEMA Premium motors as replacements to existing motors, has significant environmental benefits. Within 10 years from the time of replacement, these motors are estimated by the U.S. Department of Energy to:

Save 5,800 gigawatts of electricity
Prevent the release of nearly 80 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere
Provide the equivalency of removing 16 million cars from American highways

Simplified Motor Decisions

The NEMA Premium motor:

Defines the optimum standard when replacing failed motors
Establishes a clear motor specification when ordering new equipment
Provides a benchmark metric for replacement versus repair decisions of failed motors

For more information about Premium energy-efficient electric motors, contact Kitt Butler at (919) 857-9017 or kbutler@advancedenergy.org.