By deciding to use energy efficient motors, you can improve the performance of your machinery and lower your energy costs, while at the same time having positive effects on the environment. ABB’s energy efficient motors are designed and labeled to comply with international standards. 

• Electric motors consume over 45% of the world’s electricity.
• By 2040 the number of motors will double.
• Adoption of high efficiency motor systems would cut global electricity consumption by up to 10%.
• Changing just one motor can make a difference.

IEC 60034-30-1 standard on efficiency classes for low voltage AC motors 

Standard IEC/EN 60034-30-1 on efficiency classes of line operated AC motors was published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on March 6, 2014. This IEC standard is concerned with the global harmonization of energy efficiency classes for electric motors. Compared with IEC/EN 60034-30: 2008, it significantly expands the range of products covered with the inclusion of 8-pole motors and introduces IE4 efficiency performance class for electric motors. 

What are the efficiency classes defined by IEC/EN 60034-30-1: 2014?

The standard defines four IE (International Efficiency) efficiency classes for single speed electric motors that are rated according to IEC 60034-1 or IEC 60079-0 (explosive atmospheres) and designed for operation on sinusoidal voltage.

• Super-Premium efficiency IE4
• Premium efficiency IE3
• High efficiency IE2
• Standard efficiency IE1

What motors are covered by the standard? 

The new standard covers a wider scope of products. The power range has been expanded to cover motors from 120 W to 1000 kW. All technical constructions of electric motors are covered as long as they are rated for direct on-line operation. The coverage of the new standard includes: • Single speed electric motors (single and three phase), 50 and 60 Hz • 2, 4, 6 or 8 poles • Rated output PN from 0.12 kW to 1000 kW • Rated voltage UN above 50 V up to 1 kV • Motors, capable of continuous operation at their rated power with a temperature rise within the specified insulation temperature class • Motors, marked with any ambient temperature within the range of -20 °C to +60 °C • Motors, marked with an altitude up to 4000 m above sea level The following motors are excluded from IEC/EN 60034-30-1 • Single-speed motors with 10 or more poles or multi-speed motors • Motors completely integrated into a machine (for example, pump, fan or compressor) that cannot be tested separately from the machine. • Brake motors, when the brake cannot be dismantled or separately fed.

How does ABB apply the standard?

ABB has calculated motor efficiency values under the efficiency testing standard (IEC 60034-2-1: 2014) according to the indirect method, with additional losses determined from measuring. ABB motor has a full range of IE2 and IE3 available from our stock, and a broad range of IE4 motors