MechChem Africa May-June 2025

⎪ PowerGen,PetroChem and Sustainable energy management ⎪

Left: The new high-efficiency standards make it more economical to replace older low-voltage motors instead of repairing them. Middle: Inefficient motors create financial burdens, with running costs representing more than 96% of the total cost of ownership. Right: IE3 motors produce lower temperatures, reducing maintenance requirements and extending operational lifespans.

lifetime cost, and maintenance only 1%. Almost 97% of the motors total costs go to electricity consumption. IE3-level motors are more efficient than lower-rated models. Even though their margin is only between 4% and 8% to that of an IE1 motor, IE3 motors running for thousands of hours reduce energy losses by as much as 32%. They also produce lower temperatures, radically reducing their maintenance require ments and extending operational lifespans. There are also other peripheral gains, such

as lower carbon emissions. Even though IE3 motors are slightly more expensive than lower-rated motors, they typically recoup the difference in less than five years, and under some conditions even by the second year. The same logic resonates when older motors require repair or rewiring, says Cetenareski: “Rewiring a motor can cost more than half of purchasing an IE3 motor. If you look at the subsequent savings, it makes more economic sense to phase out older motors rather than

repairing them,” he points out. IE3 motors represent a significant ad vancement in electric motor technology. By upgrading, companies reduce energy costs, improve sustainability, enhance performance, and comply with regulations. South Africa's new MEPS regulations and the widening adoption of IE3 motors will un lock considerably more energy at a time when companies and consumers are looking to lower costs, gain value, and boost resilience. www.weg.net/institutional/ZA/en

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May-June 2025 • MechChem Africa ¦ 13