DOE Small Motor Rule Takes Effect in March 2015

An efficiency rule was issued by the US Department of Energy on March 9, 2010, covering 1/3- through 3-HP Open Drip-Proof general-purpose single and three-phase motors with two-digit NEMA frames (and equivalent IEC frames). Minimum average efficiency levels were issued for single-phase capacitor start, induction run and capacitor start, capacitor run designs, and three-phase induction two-, four-, and six-pole AC motors.

NEMA has written a guide to the Small Motor Rule. The organization received comments from the DOE stating that it doesn’t agree with NEMA’s interpretation of the rule. We are awaiting clarification on these comments.

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