IE5 already available today: Frequency inverters + synchronous reluctance motors

Combining Mitsubishi Electric frequency inverters with manufacturer-independent synchronous reluctance motors achieves maximum efficiency of up to IE5, offering an efficient design with low losses and flexible control.

Synchronous Reluctance Motors with Frequency Inverters from Mitsubishi Electric: The Energy-Efficient Drive Package  

The energy efficiency of industrial drives has been a legal requirement for years. The Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC has already set minimum efficiency levels that are continuously being tightened. A planned revision for 2027 will also address the sustainability of materials and supply chains as well. For machines and system operators, investing in highly efficient, resource-saving motors is crucial today in order to remain competitive in the long term.

An interesting solution is offered by the combination of synchronous reluctance motors (SynRM) and the frequency inverters from Mitsubishi Electric’s FR-F800 and FR-A800 series. These drives already meet the IE5 efficiency class requirements according to IEC TS 60034-30-2 – a level that is significantly higher than the current standards.

How synchronous reluctance motors work – torque without permanent magnets

A synchronous reluctance motor generates torque through differences in magnetic resistance (reluctance) within the rotor. The rotor consists of laminated iron sheets with flux barriers, but no windings or permanent magnets. This results in virtually no rotor losses and greatly reduces the typical heat generation.

Advantages:

• Higher efficiency, especially in the partial load range.
• No use of rare earths, resulting in lower material costs and better availability.
• Longer service life, as the rotor is hardly subjected to thermal stress.

The absence of permanent magnets makes SynRM appealing to many users for economic and sustainable reasons. 

FR-F800 and FR-A800 frequency inverters – optimum control for SynRM motors

To fully utilize the characteristics of the motor, coordinated control is necessary. Mitsubishi Electric offers this with the FR-F800 and FR-A800 series. Both have a dedicated SynRM control mode that was developed specifically for this motor design.

Key functions:

• SynRM Magnetic Flux Vector Control for precise speed and torque control.
• Offline auto-tuning: automatic parameterization of motor values without additional sensors.
• 998 initialization parameters for quick adaptation to SynRM motors from different manufacturers.
• OEC (Optimum Excitation Control) in the FR-F800: optimizes the magnetic flux in real time and reduces energy consumption.
• FR-F800E with an on-board Ethernet interface for direct network integration without additional modules.

This means that SynRM motors can be operated independently of the manufacturer – a significant advantage for machine builders and operators who want to remain flexible.

Applications: Pumps, fans, HVAC and more – save energy with SynRM + frequency inverters

SynRM + frequency inverters really show their strengths in pump and fan applications as well as in HVAC systems. In these applications, motors often run at variable speeds and in partial load operation.

 This is exactly where the savings lie:

• Up to 60% less energy consumption than unregulated asynchronous motors.
• Reduced waste heat = smaller cooling systems and longer component life.
• Smoother speed control, which protects the process and reduces noise levels.

Thanks to its high dynamics, the concept is also suitable for conveyor technology, packaging machines or the textile industry – wherever energy efficiency and precise speed control are required.

IE5 efficiency and Ecodesign Directive – a drive solution for future standards

In addition to energy savings, users benefit from international applicability. The motors and inverters comply with relevant standards such as CE, UKCA and UL. This means that systems with this drive concept can be used worldwide – without the need for costly recertification.

Given the growing demand for efficiency and sustainability, this technology is a vital component of factories of tomorrow. Those who rely on SynRM + FR-F800/FR-A800 today can rest assured that they are planning for future regulations while reducing operating costs.

Synchronous reluctance motors and frequency inverters as a sustainable choice

The combination of SynRM and FR-F800/FR-A800 frequency inverters provides a highly efficient, low-maintenance and resource-saving drive solution. With IE5 efficiency, optimized control and a wide range of applications, this concept is a genuine alternative to classic asynchronous or permanent magnet motors – it is technically mature and already available today.

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