Article by: Pornphimol Winyuchakrit (Ph.D.) & MEGA Tech
School of Energy Environment and Materials
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT)
Now a day, motors are main electrical energy consumption equipment in Industry and commercial buildings. Motor efficiency measurement is likely to observe the energy consumption and the mechanical power output at working conditions. In fact, the accurate efficiency measurement is virtually limited in testing laboratories. Therefore, it is difficult to discover the efficiency the on-site motor due to the measurement on the mechanical power output. At present, the on-site motor efficiency is usually estimated by using the current method which has some errors. This may not only lead to the misunderstanding that the motors are still in the good condition but also make the more energy consumption expenses. Moreover, this also obstructs the promotion motor efficiency improvement as it should.
If the onsite measurement is possible, maintenance teams will know their motor efficiency and can evaluate cost effectiveness of replacement or using high efficiency motors. In 2018, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) funded EnConLab, one of KMUTT research units to develop a web-based motor efficiency evaluator program, MotorEFF. Now the program is available online for trial use.
What the motorEFF system is?
MotorEFF is an online system or program to evaluate your motor efficiency. Users can measure the motor operating parameters and input them into the system via Smart phones, Tablets or install Sensor boxes to send real-time data automatically. The server will analyze the efficiency values, display and record data into databases. Users can login via internets to monitor their recorded data.
In analysis method, MotorEFF need electrical parameters of 2 operating points (P, I, V), its rotational speeds and stator resistance and then use Optimization technique to find the most fit electrical parameters of the motors. From the solution, Program can calculate motor efficiency at those operating points.
How to use MotorEFF Program?
Users can use MotorEFF in 3 modes as Calculator mode: users can go straight to the website and open “calculation”, then input required data, the Program will evaluate the efficiency value for those inputs. The result is not recorded.
Manual Logbook mode: users use instruments to measure electrical data, speed and stator resistance and input these data via Smart phones. The program will evaluate the efficiency and record it into user’s database.
Automatic Logbook mode: users have to install Power boxes and Speed boxes to measure operating data every period. The program will regularly evaluate the efficiency and record it into user’s database.
MotorEFF also has capabilities to
- Create database of motor and its QR code for speed access.
- Create Dashboard for Overview and trend monitoring.
- Record previous analysis data and show historical trend.
- Set alarm condition such as too low loading or too low efficiency.
- Evaluate saving and payback period of high efficiency motor replacement.
How to try MoterEFF?
MotorEFF is in testing phase and ones who has motors and would like to monitor their efficiency can join our program and test it. If users use it in calculation mode or manual logbbok mode, it is free service but for automatic mode, it will have some cost for Power and Speed boxes. Ones who are interested in MotorEFF , can contact us via “http://www.motoreff.com”.