MEPS 2006

 

What is MEPS ?

The Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) is part of a national legislative strategy to conserve energy and assist with conservation. The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS) has set specific targets to acheive by 2012.
These are :
- 20% improvement in energy efficiency with the regulatory progarm incorporating MEPS and compulsory product labelling will provide 10% to 15% of the targetted savings.
- An increase in the use of renewable energy from 23% to 43%.
Questions and Answers about MEPS.
Q. When did MEPS requirements oringinally start ?
A. The minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for three phase electric motors was first established in New Zealand on July 1st 2002. From this date electric motors in sizes from 0.73 Kw up to 184 Kw were mandated to comply with ASNZ 1359.5:2000. This standard established efficiency levels importers had to comply with for industrial electric motors in 2, 4 ,6 and 8 pole speed ranges with voltages up to 1100 Volts A.C.
Q. What is the change about to occur on June 6th or thereabouts?
A. From June 6th (or thereabouts) all electric motor importers have to comply with the new standard (ASNZ.5:2004) and import only motors that meet the new minimum effifiency performance levels. The requirement is not retrospective so motor houses may sell existing product until their stocks run out.
Q. Do the new requirements apply to all electric motors between the sizes of 0.75 Kw up to 184 Kw in 2, 4 , 6 and 8 pole sizes?
A. The legislation states that any electric motor within this range that can be removed from any equipment and used as an electric motor must comply with the following exceptions:
- Integral motor-gear systems where the motor cannot be removed and used as a stand alone electric motor.
- Variable speed motors where the speed variation is the result of internal re-connection of the leads to change speed.
- Submersible motors.
- Rewound electric motors provided the rewinder makes no statement or guarantee of efficiency levels.
- Motors rated for only for short duty cycles (IEC60034-2 Duty rating S2)
Q. What other products have to comply with MEPS ratings?
A. There are already numerous appliances that have MEPS ratings. These include:
- Air conditioners
- Electric hot water cylinders
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Televisions
- Flourescent lights and ballasts
- Distribution transformers
- Refrigerated display cabinents
Q. What are the effiency standards under the new MEPS requirements?
A. Motors previously known as being at the "High Efficiency" level from 2001 (a special product for most suppliers) will now be the required standard product to be imported into New Zealand and Australia. The levels are set out as minimum levels. These are set out in the tables below for both of the accepted test methods. Test Method A (ASNZ1359.102.3) and Test Method B (ASNZ 1359.102.1)

Minimum efficiency at 100% load

Rated

Test Method A

Test Method B

 Kw

2 Poles

4 Poles

6 Poles

8 Poles

2 Poles

4 Poles

6 Poles

8 Poles

0.73

78.8

80.5

76

71.8

80.5

82.2

77.7

73.5

0.75

78.8

80.5

76

71.8

80.5

82.2

77.7

73.5

1.1

80.6

82.2

78.3

74.7

82.2

83.8

79.9

76.3

1.5

82.6

83.5

79.9

76.8

84.1

85

81.5

78.4

2.2

84.1

84.9

81.9

79.4

85.6

86.4

83.4

80.9

3

85.3

86

83.5

81.3

86.7

78.4

84.9

82.7

4

86.3

87

84.7

82.8

87.6

88.3

86.1

84.2

5.5

87.2

87.9

86.1

84.5

88.5

89.2

87.4

85.8

7.5

88.3

88.9

87.3

86

89.5

90.1

88.5

87.2

11

89.5

89.9

88.7

87.7

90.6

91

89.8

88.8

15

90.3

90.8

89.6

88.9

91.3

91.8

90.7

90

18.5

90.8

91.2

90.3

89.7

91.8

92.2

91.3

90.7

22

91.2

91.6

90.8

90.2

92.2

92.6

91.8

91.2

30

92

92.3

91.6

91.2

92.9

93.2

92.5

92.1

37

92.5

92.8

92.2

91.8

93.3

93.6

93

92.7

45

92.9

93.1

92.7

92.4

93.7

93.9

93.5

93.2

55

93.2

93.5

93.1

92.9

94

94.2

93.9

93.7

75

93.9

94

93.7

93.7

94.6

94.7

94.4

94.4

90

94.2

94.4

94.2

94.1

94.8

95

94.8

94.7

110

94.5

94.7

94.5

94.5

95.1

95.3

95.1

95.1

132

94.8

94.9

94.8

94.8

95.4

95.5

95.4

95.4

150

95.

95.2

95.1

95.2

95.5

95.7

95.6

95.7

<185

95

95.2

95.1

95.2

95.5

95.7

95.6

95.7
Q. Which method does WEG use for testing efficiency?
A. WEG uses Test Method B.
Q. What does it take to design and manufacture motors to meet the the new MEPS 2006 levels?
A. In order to comply with the new MEPS 2006 levels electric motor manufacturers will have to add more "active materials" namely copper, steel and aluminium to their motors. It is very important to use high quality lower loss steel laminations for stator and rotor stacks. Steel quality plus using more thinner laminations help cut hysteresis and eddy current losses. Longer stators (and rotors) also result from the need to provide larger slot areas to house and extra volume of copper windings.The extra windingS cut stator losses. Similarly rotor losses are improved through redesign of the rotor slots to increase conductor cross section. The stray losses can be reduced by attention to various design details, examples are tighter more uniform air gaps and finer finish on rotor surfaces. 
Q. Does MEPS apply to motors for use outside New Zealand?
A. New Zealand is adopting the new MEPS levels in conjunction with Australia so motors that will be exported to Australia must comply. For all other countries various standards may already be in place and it is up to the exporter to check as the product could be refused entry.
Q. Does MEPS require any motors currently in use to be replaced?
A. No motors in use can continue as is.
Q. Who is regulating the efficiency program in New Zealand?
A. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is the regulatory body. EECA is a crown entity that encourages , supports, and promotes the uptake of enrgy efficiency initiatives and the use of renewable energy. More information about EECA's activities can be found at : www.eeca.govt.nz
Q. What is EECA doing to ensure motor importers comply with the new MEPS 2006 requirements?
A. EECA shares a joint product testing program with Australia. Motors are selected and tested at an accredited laboratoriy to ensure claims are correct and in compliance with the new regulations. A number of units available in the market place will be selected and tested each year. EECA has also invited the industry to be self policing and advise them of any concerns regarding efficiency claims or importation issues.

WEG New Zealand supports the new MEPS requirements and announces the arrival of our all new "Green Machine". We see a huge oppourtunity for the end users of our product to save electricity and gain better business returns as well as the benefit to the New Zealand enviroment. There can be huge energy savings realised other the average lifespan of the new efficient motors which greatly out weigh the initial purchase price.