20 Ways to Optimize Efficiency in the Use of Induction Motors

The majority of electrical energy consumed in most industrial facilities is used to run electric motors. Annual energy operating costs of electric motors usually far exceed purchase prices. For example, a typical 25 horsepower (hp) motor running at full load for 6,000 hours per year would consume nearly $10,000 of electricity annually. An average purchase price for a motor of this size would be only $500 to $600. Energy efficiency decisions are important decisions that affect operating cost for the life of the equipment. By optimizing the efficiency of your motor-driven systems, you can increase productivity while achieving substantial energy and dollar savings. Opportunities for energy conservation are wide spread and applicable to new as well as old plants. It is important to note that majority of savings shall accrue not on the motor itself but on the motor-driven system as a whole. This 6 - hour Quick Book provides 20 different strategies to guide you into the electric motor evaluation process and highlights common ways you can improve system efficiency and reliability to achieve permanent long-term electric cost reduction. This course is aimed at students, electrical & control engineers, energy auditors, operational & maintenance engineers, contractors and system designers who are responsible for design and operation of the system. Learning Objective At the conclusion of this course, the reader will understand: - Characteristics, types and classification of motors based on NEMA; - Fixed and variable losses of induction motors; - Power quality and impact of voltage/phase imbalance and power factor on motor performance; - Motor efficiency v/s motor load and motor load v/s speed relationships - Motor load estimation techniques; - Comparison of Energy Efficient v/s Standard Motors; - Cost evaluating methods & simple payback analysis of motor replacement; - Application of variable speed drives on motor energy savings; - Motor transmission efficiency using synchronous belts/soft starters; - Starting systems viz. direct-on-line, delta star controllers; - Motors repair or replacement decisions; - Monitoring and maintenance practices.