Fill Harmonics

Motor efficiency champions say power quality is the new focal point

Infinitum , the Austin-based motor manufacturer, announced the introduction of "Aircore EC+" June 16. The company calls this development "the next evolution in its award-winning motor system platform, designed to help customers do more with less energy, costs and complexity." The new product is expected to help with cooling applications used in power-intensive facilities.

Traditional variable frequency drives (VFDs) and standard EC fans produce harmonics that can degrade electrical performance, reduce usable power and threaten uptime, Infinitum reminded us in a press release e-mailed to EA, adding that "as power demands from AI and electrification rise, harmonics can have significant operational and financial consequences in demanding environments where energy efficiency, uptime and electrical performance are critical."

The new "Aircore" model hopes to do more with less by maximizing available power and electrical capacity. Its features include:

●      Integrated Active Front End (AFE) Technology: Available integrated AFE technology within the motor’s VFD reduces harmonics at the source and below IEEE 519 limits, "delivering cleaner power without the added cost, footprint, and power losses of conventional passive and active filters."

●      Standard IP65 Enclosure: Heavy-duty exterior to protect against dust, dirt and water, allowing motors to operate reliably in harsh outdoor or wet environments.

●      Standard High Resistance Ground: Delivers normal operation during an electrical ground fault and reduces the chance of equipment failure. Power-loss ride-through capability enables systems to continue operating during standby power.

●     Standard Hybrid Ceramic Bearings: As compared to standard bearings, hybrid ceramic bearings do not conduct electricity and resist corrosion, enhancing durability, reliability and efficiency in high-performance applications.

”The Infinitum design delivers a near-sinusoidal waveform with harmonic distortion reduced to well below the IEEE 519 standard, far outperforming traditional passive filtering systems that typically only reduce harmonics to 10%,“ said Giselle Canahuati, Senior Consultant, Frost & Sullivan. 

“Operators of power-intensive facilities are facing unprecedented pressure to maximize uptime, improve efficiency and support growing power demands without expanding infrastructure," said Ben Schuler, founder and CEO of Infinitum. "By delivering cleaner, more resilient power, Aircore EC+ helps customers improve reliability, unlock additional electrical capacity and maximize the value of every kilowatt."