Blower component focus: WEG ultra-premium efficiency permanent magnet motor
The design of Lontra’s LP2 Blade Blower started from a clean sheet. Every component of the blower has been designed to be durable, reliable, and energy-efficient as part of the ‘plug and play’ package – this includes the motor. The LP2 Blade Blower is powered by a?WEG WMagnet IE5 ultra-premium permanent magnet motor.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at Lontra’s WEG IE5 permanent magnet motor, covering:
WEG WMagnet IE5 ultra-premium permanent magnet motor
WEG has supplied and specifically manufactured the?WMagnet IE5 ultra-premium permanent magnet motor?for the LP2 Blade Blower. It has been chosen because it is?high quality,?reliable,?and?durable, with market-leading?energy efficiency.
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Motor specification
It is rated at 80 kW, 2500 rpm, constant torque, and has a hollow shaft, achieving efficiency levels of 97% across the majority of the speed range.
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Motor Features
WEG motor mounted directly onto the compressor shaft
The motor is mounted directly onto the compressor shaft, with no coupling, to reduce transmission friction losses and thus reduce wear of parts, to further increase efficiency at all operating points.
The motor is fully enclosed and liquid-cooled. These features greatly reduce parasitic losses, as well as improve reliability.
The motor can generate high torque at low speed; this means that the blower can start against a pressurized outlet, with no need for a blow-off valve. This both eliminates a potential reliability problem and saves wasted energy on start-up.
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Variable speed drive (VSD)
Partnering with Yaskawa, a global leader in robotics and automation, a variable speed drive (VSD) inverter has been incorporated to control the rotation speed and torque of Lontra’s WEG ultra-premium permanent magnet motor. Thus ensure very flexible adjustment to fluctuating compressed air requirements with almost constant efficiency. Combined with the low leakage of the air end, this means that turning down the blower delivery at times of low demand results in the maximum possible energy savings, while the liquid cooling of the motor ensures that low-speed running does not compromise reliability.
Why a custom-designed motor?
There are a number of reasons why Lontra chose to develop a custom-designed motor from WEG rather than an ‘off the shelf’ alternative:
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WEG: Reputable motor manufacturer
WEG is a globally-renowned manufacturer of industrial motors and specialists in their field. Sourcing quality components from established market leaders ensures the consistency and reliability of our blowers, meaning reduced maintenance and downtime for end users.
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Exceeds US and EU motor efficiency requirements
WEG IE5 permanent magnet motor exceeds current US and EU motor efficiency requirements by employing an IE5 electric motor, the highest IE efficiency class standard.
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Why is this important?
Blowers use a significant amount of energy, typically 12% – 55% percent of all energy consumed in some manufacturing facilities. The motors that power blowers can immensely affect CO2?outflows. WEG IE5 permanent magnet motor contributes towards the LP2 Blade Blower’s significant energy savings, which is up to 34% against comparable commercial blowers.
Less energy consumption equates to reduced blower running costs, which is significant across the overall life cycle cost of a blower – roughly 76% of total blower costs. Less energy consumption also means reduced CO2?emissions and a more sustainable solution.
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Typical overall life cycle cost of air compressors
Reduced risk of overheating
Not only does the high-efficiency IE5 motor produce less waste heat than traditional motors, its liquid cooling more effectively removes that heat under all operating conditions, resulting in exceptional reliability.
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Exceed current market offering
Many commercially available blowers are traditionally powered by IE3 efficiency, induction motors. Blowers powered by induction motors are less efficient: at peak efficiency the IE5 motor has 30% lower losses than an IE3 motor, but this is not the full story. An induction motor’s efficiency drops considerably as speed and load drop, so where blowers typically take advantage of variable speed to optimize a plant’s energy usage, the permanent magnet motor on average achieves much higher savings.
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Motor Regulations for Blowers with VSD
As electric motors power the majority of compressors, it means they have to meet certain regulatory standards.
North America
In North America, there are Minimum Efficiency Performance Standards (MEPS) for electric motors. Looking at 3-phase motors, the minimum requirement is NEMA Premium. The EU equivalent to NEMA Premium is IE3.
European efficiency regulations
European efficiency regulations cover a wider range of electric motors. Electric motors must now meet the IE2, IE3, or IE4 efficiency level, depending on their rated power and other characteristics, according to the current efficiency regulations in Europe. For instance, since July 2021, three-phase motors with a rated output of less than or equal to 1000 kW must reach the IE3 level. As of July 2023, motors with a power output of 75 – 200 kW must also meet the IE4 standard.
Lontra’s new blower, the LP2 Blade Blower, exceeds current US and EU requirements by employing an IE5 electric motor, the highest IE efficiency class.
Get started with Lontra
Contact Lontra’s commercial team at?[email protected].?Speak to us to access an energy survey and understand the energy efficiency benefits of the LP2 Blade Blower. Visit our website to download our WEG motor guide.