Water Motor Release

Specification challenges washed away with new ABB water motor range

The problem of matching motors to specific water industry standards and specifications has been eliminated with ABB’s new range of WIMES compliant electric motors.

The Water Industry Mechanical and Electrical Specification for low voltage AC motors (WIMES 3.03 issue 6), created by The Pump Centre working closely with 17 water companies across the UK, defines the mechanical and electrical requirements for equipment used in the UK water industry.

ABB’s new motor range, designed specifically to meet the WIMES specification, offers end-users and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) a wide choice of motor designations and options for use in any motor-driven application in the water sector.

ABB’s WIMES compliant motor range is available in cast iron frame sizes from 80 to 450 and aluminium frame sizes from 80 to 180, rated from 0.75 to 1,000 kW. The totally-enclosed fan-cooled motors come in IE3 premium efficiency and IE4 super premium efficiency variants.

A new range of medium voltage motors for the water industry is also available from 200 to 2,000 kW power range, in frame size from 355 to 560.

Greater protection against external conditions found in the water and wastewater industry are built into the WIMES compliant motor. These range from a stainless steel nameplate to a frame made of high grade robust cast iron with a surface treatment to C3M corrosion tolerance according to ISO 12944-2: 2007. V-ring seals and labyrinth seals are used to protect the shaft and internal components.

PTC thermistors are contained within the windings of the motor to protect against overheating, with cooling fans optimised for low noise levels protected by a steel fan cover to guard against impact damage. Larger motors are fitted with PT100 temperature sensors in the windings to give additional preventive protection, as stipulated by the WIMES specification. The winding insulation is suitable for frequency inverter duty applications (415 V), with insulated bearings where required, making ABB WIMES compliant motors compatible for use on variable-speed controlled applications such as pumps, fans and compressors.

Heating elements are fitted within the windings which can help protect the motor from the effects of condensation.

Dave Hawley, general manager for ABB’smotors and generators in the UK says: “ABB has worked with The Pump Centre and water utilities in the development of WIMES 3.03 issue 6 dated October 2014, designed specifically to address the requirements of low voltage electric motors. ABB has produced a range of motors for the water and wastewater industry that exceed the standards set out by WIMES and provide public and private utilities, OEMs and our Authorised Value Providers with fully compliant motors.”

ABB motors for water and wastewater can be identified via a ‘WIMES compliant’ logo affixed to the body.

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 140,000 people.

Inverter Drive Systems (www.inverterdrivesystems.com) are the largest ABB AVP (Authorised Value Provider) and have energy saving specialists available to perform free energy saving surveys call 0115 9441036 or email [email protected]