WEG Launches W30 Smart Electronically Commutated Motors With Built-in Drive

For over fifty years, WEG has been supplying the world with electric motors; today, WEG has an extensive catalog of motors, drives, gearboxes, and other industrial electrical and electronic devices. WEG offers an existing line of electronically commutated (EC) motors, which combine the best of both AC and DC motors to create an efficient, variable-speed motor without the need for an additional speed controller or drive system. Recently, WEG expanded its EC motor offerings with the W30 EC motor. 

WEG’s new W30 Smart EC electric motors. Image used courtesy of WEG

The W30 Smart EC Motor

Similar to WEG’s Emerald line of EC motors, the W30 Smart EC is a permanent magnet motor with electronics inside that allow the motor to run on an AC voltage supply. Single-phase 220 to 270 VAC and three-phase 380 to 480 VAC models are available with output ranges from 0.12 to 1.1 kW and 0.12 to 4 kW, respectively. All models come equipped with an aluminum frame with IP55 protection and multiple mounting options, including adjustable feet or flange. 

All models can support RPM ranges from 1500 to 3000 RPM, with adjustments made through remote DC voltage or tact buttons located on the motor. The internal electronics provide overload protection, over temperature, and locked-rotor motoring. The drive unit can be decentralized and mounted near the motor for tight installation locations. An external controller can be purchased to set speed and monitor motor conditions. 

The W30 Smart EC motor is designed to move air simply and efficiently. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

A Motor Built For Moving Air

Moving air around a room helps keep people and animals comfortable; electric motors have been doing this for quite some time. WEG has improved on this simple concept by making a motor specifically for the air handling industry. With the W30 motor being an EC motor, it comes with one of the highest efficiency ratings on the market, the IE6 rating, which results in up to 20% fewer losses than the IE5 rating. Because air handling units run throughout the year, the motors used to drive the fans need to be efficient. Up until now, simply adding VFD systems to the fans has increased efficiency, but with the W30 Smart EC motor, designers can do away with large complex drive systems. 

The W30 Smart EC motor with a decentralized drive. Image used courtesy of WEG

Decentralized Drives / On Board Drive Systems

Driving an AC motor efficiently often requires an external inverter or drive. These electronic devices can take precious real estate within control cabinets. Recently, the market has seen an increase in decentralized or onboard drive motors. These motors have the drive mounted directly on the motor, typically at the back of the frame. Typically, servo motors have been popping up with onboard drives, but this time, it's a permanent magnet AC motor. The W30 EC motor uses features of a DC motor but uses a single or three-phase AC supply. This allows the manufacturers to control the speed of the motor similarly to that of a DC motor, resulting in a compact and efficient motor design.