New efficiency classes for the low-voltage three-phase motors Along with the international discussion on energy efficiency a worldwide harmonized energy efficiency classification system has been established for low-voltage three-phase asynchronous motors. For many years low-voltage three-phase motors in the European Union have been sold in three efficiency classes EFF3, EFF2 and EFF1. Aside from this, many different efficiency classification systems have been introduced and well-proven in many countries all over the world. This was the reason for the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC to develop and publish an energy efficiency standard which replaces all previous national issues. In parallel IEC developed and issued a new standard for determining motor efficiency. The new standard IEC 60034-30 defines and harmonizes worldwide the efficiency classes IE1, IE2 and IE3 for low-voltage three-phase motors in the power range from 0.75 kW to 375 kW (2p=2, 4, 6):From now motors can be offered and sold with the new classes IE1, IE2 and IE3. In that case the efficiency has to be determined according to the new requirements given in the IEC 60034-2-1 standard.(IE = International Efficiency).IE1 = Standard Efficiency IE2 = High EfficiencyIE3 = Premium EfficiencyAccording to the Comission Regulation (EC) No 640/2009 (introduced in July 2009) the required efficiency clas
