Motor Energy Controls
Our EnviroStart Motor Energy Controls (MEC) are applied on electrical equipment that makes use of an electrical motor, to be more specific AC induction motors. Examples are refrigeration systems, air conditioning, escalators/travelators.
These electrical motors have distinct inefficiencies in that they cannot effectively adjust the amount of electricity that they consume for the work they do; when they operate under less than full load, substantial power is wasted. The EnviroStart Motor Energy Controls correct this inefficiency.
The MEC makes use of microprocessor technology to monitor the utility and loading of the motor and make sure the input power is matched exactly to the changing torque demands of the load. Any change, up or down, in the load demand is recognised by the MEC and a correction is fed to the motor in micro seconds. The units, designed to be simply fitted to single or three phase motors, will give soft start, energy control, soft stop, improved reliability and increased productivity.
More than 150,000 EnviroStart MEC's have been installed already, generating savings between 10 and 40%. Pay back time typically is below 2 years. For our customer references, please see our testimonials page.
How Motor Energy Controls Work
AC induction motors run at fixed speed determined by the number of poles in the motor and the frequency of the electricity supply. AC motors only run at maximum efficiency and effectiveness when they are running at the plated rating of the motor.
Once the motor starts to run below its maximum plated rating it starts to waste energy. The greater the difference between the load measured and the plated rating, the more inefficient and ineffective the motor becomes. This is usually displayed by the generation of heat and vibration within the motor.
Envirostart saves energy by sensing when the motor is running off full load by looking at Pf, the phase angle between voltage and current. The lower the load, the wider the phase angle between voltage and current. Envirostart uses this ‘positioning’ to constantly balance reduction in the supplied voltage to the motor to reduce current consumption thereby reducing the breadth of the phase angle and improving the Pf. This careful ‘dynamic’ adjustment causes the power supplied to the motor to always be in balance with the torque demand of the motor load thereby creating real kW savings within the system without detriment to the motor or reducing the capability of the load itself.
Both single and three phase Motor Energy Control units are available. Single phase units range from 4A up to 25A. Three phase units range from 2.2kW up to 800kW. 208V, 220V, 400V, 480V, 570V and 690V units are available in three phase and 110V and 220V in single phase. Both 50Hz and 60Hz are catered for. Failure rate of the controls is less than 0,005%!
For more information please contact us.
