ABB, Infineon Advance Industrial Energy-Efficient Motors

Electric motors are used in many applications, including power tools, industrial air filtration systems,  and large-scale machinery. However, electric motors consume around 45% of the world's electricity, and the number of motors in operation is expected to double by 2040. This is prompting engineers to design motors with higher energy efficiencies, better operational performance, and reduced environmental impacts.

ABB and Infineon have released electric motor products using advanced technologies to meet the challenges and demands of industrial applications. 

ABB’s Baldor-Reliance SP4 motor. Image used courtesy of ABB

ABB’s Energy-Efficient Motor Line for Hazardous Applications 

ABB has expanded and improved its ABB Baldor-Reliance SP4 motor line to reduce motor losses by up to 20% compared to NEMA standard efficient induction motors. This new motor line has a higher variable speed drive than its predecessors, but it also has an extended motor life, reduced maintenance requirements, and increased uptime. It complies with U.S. Department of Energy efficiency standards and the forthcoming Medium Electric Motor regulations. 

The SP4 motor line is a cast-iron, totally enclosed fan-cooled motor designed for hazardous environments, including exposure to explosive gases or combustible dust. Enclosing the fan makes the motor resistant to dust and water spray. ABB’s new line comprises 25- to 300-horsepower motors and is available in 2, 4, or 6-pole configurations.

The motors use ABB’s AC induction technology and are compatible with fans, pumps, conveyors, and compressors. Most motors running direct online don’t require a drive. When the SP4 motors are paired with a variable speed drive, the motors run cooler and have lower heat energy losses, reducing the motor's energy consumption and prolonging the motor's life and its components.

Infineon’s Intelligent Power Module for Drive Applications

Infineon has added an energy-efficient intelligent power module to its 7th generation Trenchstop IGBT7 family. The CIPOS Maxi Intelligent Power Module is designed for low-power motor drives. 

The module uses a micro-pattern trench design to reduce energy loss, improve control, increase efficiency, improve thermal performance, and improve the motor’s power density. 

The power module also has an isolated dual-in-line molded housing to improve the motor’s thermal performance and allow for electrical isolation. It uses a 6-channel SOI gate driver to prevent damage from transient voltage and possesses undervoltage lockout at all channels and overcurrent shutdown features.

CIPOS Maxi. Image used courtesy of Infineon

This new 1200 V Trenchstop IGBT7 line has models ranging from 10 to 20 A with power ratings up to 4 kW. The power and control components increase the motor’s reliability and optimize the size the PCB’s size to allow for a smaller unit. The modules have been primarily designed for low-power drives in applications, including air conditioning, outdoor heating fans, pumps, and ventilation units.

Building on Existing Technologies

Both companies have released advanced versions of their existing technologies to respond to evolving power needs. ABB has taken the design of the Baldor-Reliance Super-E NEMA Premium Efficient (IE3) motor and revised it to run cooler with less slip loss in the bearings and higher efficiency. Infineon’s new power modules are based on their 1200 V Trenchstop IGBT7 technology, but the designs have a reduced energy loss, higher efficiency, and improved power density than their predecessors.