In the mid-1970s, a southeastern tire manufacturing plant asked Baldor if it were possible to increase the operating efficiencies of motors in their plants. Baldor engineers determined that considerable energy savings could be gained from a better motor design. By adding more copper to the windings, upgrading the laminations to a higher premium-grade steel, designing precision air gaps between the rotor and stator, and reducing fan losses in the motor, Baldor was able to supply the plant with the premium efficient motors it needed.

This was the birth of the Baldor Super-E®. Today’s upgraded and expanded Super-E product line offers some of the highest levels of efficiency in more than 600 stock motors rated from 1/2 to 15,000 horsepower. Super-E, severe duty, close-coupled pump, IEEE 841, washdown, and explosion-proof models are also available with a three-year warranty or better. (Our IEEE 841 motors have a five-year warranty.) Called a “key breakthrough” by the Consortium of Energy Efficiency, the Baldor Super-E was recognized by the CEE in 1998 as the first premium efficiency motor line to meet their stringent efficiency criteria citing, “For the first time, one manufacturer will carry all qualifying products.” In 2001, the CEE efficiency levels were adopted as the NEMA Premium® efficient levels and expanded to 500 horsepower.

To understand what a motor really costs, compare initial purchase price with the cost of theelectricity it uses over its working lifetime. Often, too much attention is paid to purchase price. For most motors, this initial cost represents less than two percent of its lifetime cost. Electricity accounts for about 97 percent. Baldor Electric Company’s motors and drives save customers money every minute they operate. Whether it’s lower energy costs or greater reliability, these savings go straight to the bottom line. Baldor is the industry leader in overall efficiency ratings. Better than 96 percent of the energy used by some of Baldor’s Super-E motors is converted to mechanical work. The Baldo•Reliance Super-E runs cooler and longer with greater reliability than any other industrial motor. When you consider that a typical 50 horsepower motor costs over $36,000 to operate continuously in a year, it’s easy to see how just a few percentage points of higher efficiency can quickly reduce electricity costs. Even seemingly modest percentage point differences in efficiency ratings can yield substantial electricity cost savings when the motor is operating continuously every day.

The history of energy efficiency in industrial motors is really the story of Baldor Electric Company. For almost 100 years, Baldor has led the industry in developing products that deliver greater performance and reliability while using less electricity. From the company’s founding in the 1920s through today, Baldor has introduced one efficiency enhancing advancement after another. In fact, many of the advancements initiated by Baldor have later been adopted as industry standards.

The issue of energy efficiency for electric motors and drives is becoming increasingly relevant as electricity costs continue to rise. Companies are now competing in an environment of rising energy costs and the uncertainty of available electricity. These dynamics require the kind of forward-thinking industrial motor, drive, and generator supplier that anticipates customer needs and delivers products that save money and improve productivity. That company is Baldor.

Why is Energy Efficiency Important?

Electric motor-driven systems used in industrial processes consume some 679 billion kWh or 63 percent of all electricity used in U.S. industry, according to a Department of Energy report published in 1998. The report goes on to reveal that industrial motor electricity consumption could be reduced by up to 18 percent if companies were to apply “proven efficiency technologies and practices.” Specifically, the DOE recommends motor efficiency upgrades and application improvements. The purpose of this brochure is to show you the energy saving opportunities from using premium efficient motors and drives. The opportunities are real.

In 1992, the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) established minimum efficiency standards for industrial electric motors built after October 1997. Yet, only about 10 percent of all motors in use today comply with the minimum efficiency levels the Act mandates. When you factor in the savings potential of using adjustable speed drives in many applications, it’s easy to see that the environment, along with your profitability, stand to benefit significantly.

• Interchange by Part # and Size with Corresponding Elements
• Variety of Insert Elements fo different applications
• On-line Drive Selection Program and CAD Drawings for StarFlex and MaskaFlex Types
• Made from High Strength Cast Iron
• Coupling Selection Process, Service Factors and Ratings in Baldor-Maska catalog