The new WQuattro line of motors have a hybrid design which WEG says helps them achieve the highest efficiency in the marke and surpass the IEC 60034-30:2009, a harmonised IE (International Efficiency) grading standard, which is part of the EU’s new eco-design directive 2005/32/EC.The WQuattro motor is environmentally- friendly and has no energy losses from its rotor. As a result it demands less energy from the grid and there is a lower total cost of ownership, a reduction in CO2 emissions, and a faster return on investment.The WQuattro is a hybrid motor integrating a conventional three-phase distributed winding, and a rotor with an aluminium cage and internal high energy magnets. This makes the WQuattro suitable for direct- on- line starting and acceleration up to synchronous speed. With this type of operation the motor speed does not vary with load, despite overload variations, or cases of voltage drop, as long as the mains frequency is kept constant. There is no requirement for positioning/speed sensors, or special protection relays, and the low bearing temperatures that result from synchronous operation can also ensure longer life and reduced maintenance for the motors.In addition to developing highly energy efficient motors for general industrial and process applications, WEG has also launched the WMagnet series as part of its focus on improving the efficiency of permanent magnet (PM) motors. The WMagnet series of PM motors can deliver efficiencies up to 97.5% when compared to equivalent size induction motors, and reduces size by up to 50% and weight by up to 36%. The motors are generally at least one frame size or core length smaller than the equivalent induction motor, and in some cases can be two frame sizes smaller. In one prototype applications at a textile mill, by replacing standard induction motors used on ring spinning machines with permanent WMagnet motors, the textile plant has reduced its annual power consumption by a massive 33% and increased its machine utilisation by 80%.WEG has also developed a new MV drive, the MVW-01, which achieves 99% efficiency with a design that employs multi-level topology to minimise component levels, and high voltage (6.5kV) IBGTs to reduce motor harmonic currents to extremely low levels.The WEG MVW-01 range has two 2 layers, helping reduce in the number of components in the drive.
