The Ecodesign Regulation explained simply Getting the most out of a specified input - that's what the Ecodesign Directive is all about. The topic is not new throughout the EU, the importance in view of climate change and limited resources is known to be all the greater. This statement is also clear in the completely revised Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1781, which is based on the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC. From July 1, 2021, this will have a noticeable impact on the equipment of machines and plants.

Ecodesign simple

We know that the associated conversions and even new constructions cost time and money. We also know that the work is worthwhile for nature and society. We have put together a list of what will be important in the future for eco-design and what role SEW-EURODRIV will play.

So we don't want to get lost in the details of a legal regulation, but rather show what needs to be done and what benefits will result for machine and plant manufacturers and users in the long term. With this in mind, we prefer to put our energy into personal consulting for the custom-fit conversion of your drive technology and not leave you alone with complex configuration tools.

What changes with us and what remains

A significant innovation in the Ecodesign Regulation is that not only standard asynchronous motors with cage rotors are considered, but also frequency inverters. In addition, there are requirements for other motor classes that were not previously part of the EU regulation. These are essentially motors with power ratings below 0.75 kW, brake motors and drives for explosion-proof areas, which were excluded from the previous regulation in Europe. It is precisely the expansion of the horizon of consideration in the direction of frequency inverters that puts the revised Ecodesign Regulation in a position to better evaluate, literally, the efficient design of entire drive axes. In the past, critics rightly complained that energy efficiency at component level can never have the same effect as holistically optimized systems. This is where the regulation catches up, and from mid-2021 it will be taking a closer look at the energy efficiency of frequency converters in speed-controlled applications.

We make it simple for you

In detail, the SEW product portfolio already offers suitable drives. In current applications, where motors in the DRS... design were previously the first choice, our DRN... series motors with efficiency class IE3 are suitable as successors for low power ratings from 0.12 kW or for brake motors. These thus exceed the IE2 class required in Europe for small outputs up to 0.75 kW. The replacement for explosion-proof drives with EDRS..- or EDRE..- are our EDRN.. motors, which also meet the IE3 efficiency class and are compliant with the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU in parallel.

For inverter operation from 0.12 kW to 1000 kW, the energy-saving DRN.. motors with our MOVIMOT® inverters are ideally suited by meeting the required efficiency requirements for both products. However, the inverters for control cabinet installation of the MOVITRAC®, MOVIDRIVE® series and from the MOVI-C® automation modular system also exceed the energy efficiency requirements of the EU regulation and meet energy efficiency class IE2.

As of July 01, 2021, 8-pole three-phase asynchronous motors will then also be in the regulations for Europe: 8-pole DRN.. motors in the power range 0.12 ... 2.2 kW will meet the requirements set by Europe and will then also optimize the mounted gear units in terms of size, reduction ratio and design compared to a variant with 4-pole three-phase motors. From July 1, 2023, the 1-phase asynchronous motors from 0.12 kW must meet the IE2 class and the three-phase asynchronous motors from 75 to 200 kW must meet the IE4 class. Brake and explosion-proof motors are exempt from this IE4 requirement and must only comply with IE3 class.

The new regulation creates the possibility to replace motors used in machinery and equipment with identical motors. This replacement regulation is new and valid until July 01, 2029 for motors that were sold before July 01, 2021, or July 01, 2023, and fall under the stricter eco-design requirements.

How to make it easier for yourself

To make the changeover easier, we always keep our products and tools up to date for you and continue to develop them. As usual, you can select your drive online in our product configurator, which will then already take into account the new requirements and the exceptions.

An overview of global energy efficiency regulations, laws, standards, directives and ordinances for a wide range of products in use in different countries can be found on our website International regulations. You will also find a conversion guide and an energy saving calculator in the online support section.

In this way, we make it easy for you to switch to products that comply with the new EU regulation. If you have any further questions or are unsure, our sales force will be happy to help you at any time - support is just a phone call away.

Make yourself fit

The modular video tutorial explains the most important requirements of the Ecodesign Directive for motors and frequency inverters in the European Economic Area, which is valid from July 1, 2021. Relevant changes resulting from this for affected SEW-EURODRIVE products and their applications are also shown.

To the learning offer

Additional information

Product-specific FAQ on asynchronous motors and frequency inverters from SEW-EURODRIVE General information and FAQs from the European business associations CEMEP and CAPIEL on the Ecodesign Regulation (EU) 2019/1781 (EN). (PDF, 712 KB)
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