IEC vs NEMA http://www.electrolsystems.com/news/article1/iec-vs-nema.
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IEC vs. NEMA:
The fight has just begun
The world’s dominant motor control standards are slugging it out, and you’ve got
a ringside seat.
In one corner, there’s the National Electrical Manufacturers’ Association (NEMA)
– the reigning U.S. champion. In the opposite corner stands the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) - the undisputed international champ, looking
to expand its turf.
The fight is a contrast in styles. NEMA is the traditional fighter: large, powerful,
and conservative. IEC, on the other hand, is lean and aggressive. It combines
small size with speed and finesse.
Until now, no one has dared challenge the supremacy of NEMA in the U.S. For
over half a century its members have single-handedly set the standards for U.S.
electrical equipment.
But no champion can stay on top forever. Today makers of IEC-approved controls
are going toe to toe with NEMA, locked in about for the American marketplace.
Relying on their international experience, these IEC manufacturers are serious
contenders for the U.S. motor control title.
But you be the Judge. Which motor controls - IEC or NEMA are the quickest,
smartest, and toughest against hazards that knock motors out cold? Follow the
action and score carefully. The lives of thousands of motors hang in the balance.
A1
Q1 Smaller size and more precise ratings
are just two reasons for switching to
IEC motor controls. IEC devices are an
average of 30 to 70 percent smaller
The brand of NEMA motor controls
than their NEMA counterparts. The size
I’m using now does the job just fine. difference is most dramatic at or below
And I’m sure that other NEMA brands 50 horsepower (HP), where 80 percent
work equally well. Why should I of the world’s motors are rated.
switch to IEC controls?
There are two main factors responsible
for this radical size difference. First,
IEC devices use sophisticated arc
quenching techniques to reduce
excess heat on the contacts. NEMA
devices rely on a greater mass to
dissipate the heat, resulting in a larger
physical size.
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Second, IEC devices are more
precisely rated than NEMA controls.
Look down the side-by-side ratings
table shown here and see for yourself.
There are only 10 basic NEMA
contactor sizes for motors ranging from
2 to 900 HP IEC manufacturers,
however, offer a much greater
contactor selection. For instance,
Sprecher + Schuh as 20 contactor
sizes to cover this same power range.
The fact is NEMA contactors are often
overrated for their actual motor
application. Typically the mismatch
goes unnoticed, since the NEMA
devices appear to be doing the job.
What’s overlooked, though, is the fact
NEMA controls routinely operate at far
below their capacity. This discrepancy
costs users both money and control
panel space.
Sprecher+Schuh
Maximum NEMA
Contactor Series HP @ 460
Volts Contactor
Sizes
5
CA3-9 00
2
CA3-12 7½ *
10
CA3-16 0
5
CA3-23A 10 *
15
CA3-23 1
10
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CA3-30 20 *
CA3-37 25 *
30
CA3-43 2
25
CA3-60 40 *
CA3-72 50 *
60
CA1-55 3
50
CA1-60 75 *
CA1-100 100 4
CA1-150 150 *
CA1-250 200 5
CA1-480 350 *
500
CA1-630 6
400
CA1-800 700 7
CA1-1000 800 *
CA1-1250 900 8
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Shown here is a Sprecher + Schuh
CA3-16 contactor. The dotted line
shows the dimensions of an
equivalently rated NEMA device.
Q2 A2
What are the leading causes of motor Recently the Electrical Research
failure? Association studied more than 9,000
damaged motors. From this sample,
the group was able to identify the
leading causes of motor failure. These
causes are shown in pro-portion on the
pie chart:
The leading causes of motor failure,
as determined by the Electrical
Research Association.
Notice only 10 percent of the motors studied died as a result of old age. An
astounding 44 percent of the failures can be directly attributed to thermal
overload or single-phase conditions. IEC technology directly addresses these
issues. IEC overload relays shut down motors twice as fast as standard NEMA
controls. Plus, IEC devices detect single-phase conditions and quickly shut down
your motors in the event of this hazard.
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Q3 A3
In terms of motor control, what’s the Today’s T-Frame motors are smaller
basic difference between T-frame and and less expensive than older U-Frame
U-frame motors? models. However, T-Frame motors also
have a lower tolerance for thermal
overload since they’re built with less
copper and steel. Consequently, the
overload relays used on T-Frame
motors must have a faster response
time than those used on U-Frames.
Applying that added protection is a
must if you want to get the most life
from these new motors. Most
manufacturers rate the life expectancy
of a T-Frame motor at 25 years.
However, they will also tell you that
each occurrence of a ten degree
centigrade increase above the motor’s
insulation rating will cut that motor’s
life in half.
NEMA controls were designed for use
with U-frame motors and have simply
been adapted to T-frame motors. IEC
controls are engineered specifically for
use with today’s advanced motors, but
can also be used with the older
U-frames.
Q4 A4
How quickly do IEC overload relays IEC overload relays are all Class 10
trip under hazardous conditions? devices. They will trip in 10 seconds or
What about nuisance tripping? less under a locked rotor condition (6 x
FLA). Standard NEMA devices are
Class. 20; they trip in 20 seconds or
less after the onset of locked rotor.
While a 20 second response time may
prevent a fire, it won’t save a T-frame
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motor from a costly rewind following a
locked rotor. An IEC overload relay will
trip the motor before damage occurs.
A common misconception is Class 10
devices trip motors unnecessarily
especially during start up and restarts.
This phenomenon is known as
"nuisance tripping."
While nuisance tripping might occur in
some specially designed motors, an
IEC overload relay will almost never trip
a motor unless there’s a fault. And as
for starting, virtually all motors come up
to speed well before the IO-second
tripping time of an IEC device.
Q5 A5
Can ambient temperature affect the Ambient temperatures can greatly
tripping time of an overload relay? Is affect the tripping time of an overload
there a way to compensate for relay. Cooler temperatures increase
ambient temperature changes? tripping times, while warmer
temperatures decrease tripping times.
Most NEMA overload relays have no
provision for ambient temperature
compensation. While some are
equipped with manual compensation,
they still cannot react to changing
temperatures without constant
readjustment.
In either case, users often install larger
heaters in warm weather to combat
nuisance tripping. With the larger
heaters, however, it’s easy to see how
a Class 20 device’s trip time could
stretch well beyond 20 seconds on a
cool morning.
Most IEC devices are equipped with
automatic ambient temperature
compensation, allowing them to
continually monitor and adjust to
surrounding temperatures. As a result,
trip times remain constant regardless
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of conditions.
Q6 A6
How do IEC overload relays protect Single phasing occurs when power is
against single phasing? lost in one of the three legs supplying
a motor. Instantly the current through
the two remaining phases jumps
significantly. Unless promptly
disconnected, the two powered
windings can soon be destroyed from
over-current.
IEC overload relays detect single
phasing and react before motors can
be damaged. The bimetal strips in
these devices monitor the current
drawn through each of the three
phases, bending a proportionate
distance. If a phase is lost, the bimetal
strip will straighten and, using a double
slide-bar ripping mechanism, instantly
disconnect the motor from power.
Normal operation, with all phases
delivering current. The three bimetal
strips bend equal distances, moving
the two slide bars and the tripping
lever proportionately.
Single-phase condition, with bimetal
strip L3 straight (cold) due to loss of
current. This has caused slide bar II
to move to the right, accelerating the
movement of the tripping lever and
opening the contacts.
A7
Q7 Selections of IEC contactors are based
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on running current, motor application,
Is the selection process for IEC and required contact life. Overload
devices complicated? relay selection is based on full load
current. It takes a little more effort, but
results in perfectly matched motor
control.
At least one IEC manufacturer has
made the selection process easier,
however. Sprecher + Schuh’s entire
line of IEC contactors and overload
relays carry NEMA-equivalent sizes,
including fractional sizes for controls
rated between basic NEMA sizes.
You’re guaranteed a perfect fit no
matter which method you use.
As the bell ends the final round, it’s time to take a look at your scorecard. Be
sure and pay special attention to how you scored those important rounds like
tripping speed, size, arc quenching, and motor protection. The battle was well
fought by both IEC and NEMA, but now a decision must be reached. Is the
challenger worthy of your business, or should you go with the established
champion? You’re the judge; it’s your call. The fate of your motors awaits your
decision.
For further information, contact:
Electrol Systems, Inc.
10623 Sentinel Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78217
Phone: (210) 599-6485
Fax: (210) 599-6487
E-mail:
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