High Voltage Motors
High voltage motors are used to power heavy equipment like fans, blowers, compressors and industrial machinery. They can also be used to drive air conditioning systems, water treatment and desalination plants as well as oil and gas drilling equipment. They are manufactured in a variety of sizes, from 60 kW to 60 MW.
high voltage motors require a very thick insulation to allow current to flow without overheating. This requires larger housings and windings, which make them expensive to manufacture. However, the higher rated voltage of these motors makes them more efficient than low-voltage versions. This is because higher voltages reduce the current flowing before and into the motor terminals, which in turn lowers the total current draw.
In addition to the energy savings, higher voltages offer other benefits. They can provide a more precise control of starting and full-load current, which helps to protect the motor from damage. In contrast, lower rated voltages can cause the current to spike when a motor starts and overheat its windings, reducing efficiency and shortening the life of the motor.
High Voltage Motors and Their Applications
A new technology, called Motorformer, allows a motor to operate at higher voltages without breaking down or overheating. This is made possible by an innovative process that uses a thin film of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) to wrap the stator windings. XLPE offers superior dielectric strength, compared with mica tape and other conventional methods of wrapping stator windings. It also allows motor designers to use smaller wire gauges, which leads to less heat, making the motor more energy efficient.
The technology is being tested in a series of harsh industrial settings and has already proven itself in two applications. One of these is a 6.5-MW synchronous machine that drives a compressor at an air-separation plant on the west coast of Sweden. It connects directly to a 42-kV bus and cuts plant energy losses by about 25 percent, according to the company. The other application is a 60-kW motor that runs a fan in an oil refinery.
A major factor that is expected to propel the growth of the high voltage motors market is growing demand for advanced and energy-efficient electric motors in various industries. Additionally, growing offshore drilling activities across the world are boosting demand for these motors. Other factors that are boosting the market include favorable government initiatives and incentives offered for energy efficient electric motors.