Energy Efficiency Standards Test Procedures, Labeling, and Certification Reporting for Certain Commercial and Industrial Electric Motors

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

10 CFR Part 430

Energy Efficiency Standards Test Procedures, Labeling, and

Certification Reporting for Certain Commercial and Industrial Electric

Motors

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of

Energy.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) will hold an informal public

meeting to discuss issues and gather information related to energy

efficiency standards, test procedures, labeling, and compliance

certification for 1 through 200 horsepower electric motors that are

manufactured alone or as a component of another piece of equipment. All

persons are hereby given notice of the opportunity to attend this

public meeting and to submit written statements.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Friday, June 2, 1995. Written

statements, in quadruplicate, must be received by June 30, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written statements should be labeled ``Test Procedures and

Efficiency Certification for Electric Motors,'' and submitted to: Ms.

Sandy Cooper, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail

Station EE-431, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue

SW., Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (202) 586-7574; Telefax: (202)

586-4617.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m., and will be held at the U.S.

Department of Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 1E-245, 1000

Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Anthony Balducci, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-431, Forrestal

Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202)

586-8459

James Raba, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and

Renewable Energy, Mail Station EE-431, Forrestal Building, 1000

Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-8654

Eugene Margolis, Esq., U.S. Department of Energy, Office of General

Counsel, Mail Station GC-72, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9507.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Authority

Part 3 of Title IV of the National Energy Conservation Policy Act

of 1978 (NECPA), Pub. L. 95-619, amends the Energy Policy and

Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) to add ``Energy Efficiency of

Industrial Equipment,'' which includes electric motors. The most recent

amendment to EPCA, the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), Pub. L. 102-

486, promulgates definitions related to electric motors in section

122(a), 106 Stat. 2807, test procedures for motor efficiency in section

122(b), 106 Stat. 2809, labeling for electric motors in section 122(c),

106 Stat. 2809, standards for nominal full-load efficiency in section

122(d), 106 Stat. 2814, and certification of compliance by

manufacturers in section 122(e), 106 Stat. 2817.

Section 122(a)(3) of the EPAct (EPCA, section 340(13)(A), 42 U.S.C.

6311 (13)(A)), defines ``electric motor'' as any motor which is

``general purpose T-frame, single-speed, foot-mounting, polyphase

squirrel-cage induction of the National Electrical Manufacturers

Association (NEMA) Designs A and B, continuous-rated, operating on 230/

460 volts and constant 60 Hertz line power, as defined in NEMA

Standards Publication MG1-1987.'' Section 122(d) of the EPAct (EPCA,

section 342(b)(1), 42 U.S.C. section 6313(b)(1)), prescribes standards

for electric motors that are 1 through 200 horsepower, and

``manufactured (alone or as a component of another piece of

equipment),'' except for ``definite purpose motors, special purpose

motors, and those motors exempted by the Secretary.''

Section 122(b)(1) of the EPAct (EPCA, section 343(a)(5)(A), 42

U.S.C. 6314 (a)(5)(A)), requires that testing procedures for motor

efficiency shall be the test procedures specified in NEMA Standards

Publication MG1-1987, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics

Engineers (IEEE) Standard 112 Test Method B for motor efficiency, as in

effect on October 24, 1992. Section 122(b)(1), EPCA section

343(a)(5)(B) and (C), provide for amendment of the testing procedures

if the test procedures in the NEMA and IEEE standards are revised.

Section 122(c)(4) of the EPAct (EPCA, section 344(d), 42 U.S.C.

6315(d)) directs the Secretary, after consultation with the Federal

Trade Commission, see EPCA section 344(f), 42 U.S.C. 6315(f), to

prescribe rules requiring motor [[Page 27052]] labeling to indicate

energy efficiency on the permanent nameplate, to display that motor

energy efficiency prominently in catalogs and other marketing

materials, and to include other markings to facilitate enforcement of

the energy efficiency standards.

Section 122(e)(2) of the EPAct (EPCA, section 345(c), 42 U.S.C.

6316(c)) requires manufacturers to certify compliance with energy

efficiency standards through an independent testing or certification

program nationally recognized in the United States.

2. Background

The Department of Energy is drafting a proposed rule to implement

the EPAct requirements for motors. However, the language of the EPAct

raises several issues regarding definitions, testing, labeling, and

certification.

The purpose of the public meeting is to discuss these issues,

gather information, and seek early resolution.

3. Discussion

The Department is interested in receiving information and

statements to help resolve the following issues:

a. Definitions.

(1) Metric equivalents. Section 122(d) of the EPAct (EPCA, section

342(b)(1), 42 U.S.C. 6313(b)(1)) lists standards for electric motor

nominal full-load efficiency ratings corresponding to horsepower and

number of poles. Additionally, section 205b. of the Metric Conversion

Act of 1975, Pub. L. 94-168, 15 U.S.C. 205b., states ``the declared

policy of the United States--(1) to designate the metric system of

measurement as the preferred system of weights and measures for United

States trade and commerce; (2) to require that each Federal agency, by

a date certain and to the extent economically feasible by the end of

the fiscal year 1992, use the metric system of measurement in its

procurements, grants, and other business-related activities, except to

the extent that such use is impractical or is likely to cause

significant inefficiencies or loss of markets to United States firms,

such as when foreign competitors are producing competing products in

non-metric units.'' This policy is promulgated in Executive Order 12770

of July 25, 1991, ``Metric Usage in Federal Government Programs.'' 56

FR 35801-03 (July 29, 1991). The Department seeks advice on how to

implement these statutes with respect to motors under the EPAct.

Specifically, should the energy efficiency rules identify kilowatt

ratings equivalent to corresponding horsepower ratings, and other

electrical and mechanical equivalents? If so how?

(2) Basic model. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), in 10 CFR

Part 430 Sec. 430.2, provides a definition for the term ``basic model''

in regard to the appliance program: ``Basic model means all units of a

given type of covered product (or class thereof) manufactured by one

manufacturer and--* * * (as to dishwashers, for example) which have

electrical characteristics that are essentially identical, and which do

not have any differing physical or functional characteristics that

affect energy consumption.'' Basic model is a term used to describe a

product or item of equipment whose performance, design, mechanical, and

functional characteristics are essentially the same. Components of

similar design may be substituted in a basic model without requiring

additional testing if the represented measures of energy consumption

continue to satisfy applicable provisions for sampling and testing. In

the case of electric motors, a manufacturer may produce one basic model

and thousands more of other model numbers that are essentially the

same, all based on variations in design features that do not affect

energy efficiency.

The Department is considering defining the term ``basic model'' in

its coverage of electric motors to mean all units of a given type of

covered equipment (or class thereof) manufactured by a single

manufacturer, and, with respect to electric motors, having the same

rating, electrical design characteristics that are essentially

identical, and no differing mechanical or functional characteristics

that affect energy consumption or efficiency. The Department solicits

the views of interested parties as to whether the Department should

adopt such a definition.

(3) Definite purpose motor. Under section 122(d) of the EPAct (EPCA

section 342(b)(1), 42 U.S.C. 6313(b)(1)), the energy efficiency

standards for electric motors do not apply to ``definite purpose

motors.'' Section 122(a)(3) of the EPAct (EPCA Sec. 340(13)(B), 42

U.S.C. Sec. 6311(13)(B)) defines a ``definite purpose motor'' as ``any

motor designed in standard ratings with standard operating

characteristics or standard mechanical construction for use under

service conditions other than usual, or for use on a particular type of

application which cannot be used in most general purpose

applications.'' However, the EPAct does not define the term ``service

conditions other than usual.'' Therefore, the Department is considering

developing a definition for this term that will take into consideration

adverse environmental and operating conditions, such as exposure to

abrasive or combustible dusts, chemical fumes, nuclear radiation, salt-

laden air, abnormal shock or vibration, unbalanced supply voltage,

power system not grounded, frequent starting, frequent short circuits,

and so forth. The Department seeks advice in developing a definition

for ``service conditions other than usual.''

b. Testing.

(1) Canadian Standards Association Standard C390. Section 122(b)(1)

of the EPAct (EPCA, section 343(a)(5)(A), 42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(5)(A))

states that ``the test procedures shall be the test procedures

specified in NEMA Standards Publication MG1-1987 and IEEE Standard 112

Test Method B for motor efficiency, as in effect on the date of the

enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.'' Subsequently, the NEMA

Standards Publication MG1-1987 was revised and superseded by MG1-1993

on November 19, 1992, and published in October 1993 as MG1-1993. A

further amendment, Revision 1 to MG1-1993, was added on December 7,

1993.

The EPAct (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(5)(B) and (C)) provides for amending

the established test procedures if the test procedures in NEMA

Standards Publication MG1-1987 and IEEE Standard 112 Test Method B are

amended. MG1-1993 with Revision 1, section MG1-12.58.1 states:

``Efficiency and losses shall be determined in accordance with IEEE Std

112 or Canadian Standards Association Standard C390.'' In considering

whether to amend the motor efficiency test procedures specified in NEMA

Standards Publication MG1-1987 in order to require the motor efficiency

test procedures specified in NEMA Standards Publication MG1-1993 with

Revision 1, the Department hereby solicits information on the affect of

the additional reference to Canadian Standards Association Standard

C390.

(2) Testing sampling plan. Section 122(d) of the EPAct (EPCA,

section 342(b), 42 U.S.C. 6313(b)) requires each electric motor to have

a certain ``nominal full load efficiency,'' which is defined in section

122(a)(3) of the EPAct (EPCA section 340(13)(H), 42 U.S.C. 6311(13)(H))

as the average efficiency of a population of motors of duplicate design

as determined in accordance with NEMA Standards Publication MG1-1987.

NEMA Standards Publications MG1-1987 and MG1-1993 with Revision 1 both

provide for the determination of nominal full load efficiencies that

are to represent the average efficiency of a large population

[[Page 27053]] of motors of duplicate design, and a corresponding

minimum efficiency that any motor must equal or exceed to be rated at

the corresponding nominal efficiency. The DOE contemplates establishing

a testing sampling plan to reasonably ensure that the results from

testing a few motors will establish the average efficiency of the large

population of motors of duplicate design. This could be done by

requiring the testing of a sufficient number of motors of a particular

model, selected at random, so that an estimate at the 95 percent

statistical confidence level can be made both that the motors of this

model offered for sale have both a mean efficiency equal to or greater

than the nominal efficiency given in NEMA Standards Publication MG1-

1993 Revision 1 for this rating, and also that at least 99 percent of

these motors of this same particular model have efficiencies equal to

or greater than the minimum efficiency associated with the nominal

efficiency given for this motor in the NEMA Standards Publication MG1-

1993 Revision 1. The Department seeks advice on what type of sampling

plan should be adopted.

(3) Alternative method of efficiency determination. In the case

where a manufacturer produces hundreds of different basic models of

electric motors, it may be neither technically feasible, nor

economically justifiable to test all basic models for compliance. For

such situations, the Department is considering the use of predictive

mathematical calculations and statistical methodologies developed from

scientific and engineering analyses that are substantiated by actual

test data in order to calculate the efficiency, i.e. total power

losses, for some basic models of electric motors. Such ``alternative

efficiency determination methods,'' engineering or statistical

analyses, would require support by actual testing of some minimum

number of basic models and would incorporate computer simulations,

modeling, or other mathematical evaluations of performance data. The

alternate efficiency determination method to verify compliance for

motors is similar to the method used in the appliance program, 10 CFR

part 430, Sec. 430.24(m)(2)(ii), that permits manufacturers of central

air conditioners to verify compliance by use of an ``alternative rating

method.''

The Department solicits views on both the feasibility of testing

all models of motors, as well as appropriate alternative methods for

determining efficiency in the event it is not feasible to test all

models.

c. Labeling. Section 122(c)(4) of the EPAct (EPCA, section 344(d),

42 U.S.C. 6315(d)) requires the following: (1) ``Not later than 12

months after the Secretary establishes test procedures for electric

motors * * * the Secretary shall prescribe labeling rules * * * taking

into consideration NEMA Standards Publication MG1-1987;'' and (2) such

labeling rules shall ``(1) indicate the energy efficiency of the motor

on the permanent nameplate attached to such motor; (2) prominently

display the energy efficiency of the motor in equipment catalogs and

other material used to market the equipment; and (3) include such other

markings as the Secretary determines necessary, solely to facilitate

enforcement of the standards.''

Based upon these EPAct requirements, the Department is considering

the required use of a distinct logo, such as lower case letters ``ee''

within a circle, to identify motors that are manufactured as energy-

efficient and in compliance with the EPAct. Such a logo would be

permanently marked on the motor nameplate to facilitate enforcement, be

prominently displayed on packaging, in shipping documents, in customs

and commercial documents, and other materials. The Department is also

considering a requirement of permanent markings on the motor nameplate

of both the nominal efficiency and the minimum efficiency associated

with that nominal efficiency, and of prominent displays of both the

nominal and minimum efficiency values in catalogs to assist purchasers

in making purchasing decisions.

In addition, section 122(c)(4) of the EPAct (EPCA, section 344(c),

42 U.S.C. 6315(c)) authorized additional required displays of

information about electric motor energy efficiency that are likely to

assist purchasers in making purchasing decisions, including

instructions for maintenance, use, or repair of the motor, and

information on energy use. Thus, the Department is also considering use

of a label(s) or marking(s) that bear(s) the following statement(s):

(1) ``This motor complies with energy efficiency requirements in the

Energy Policy Act of 1992 at the time of original manufacture,

[DATE].'' or ``Efficiency complies with EPACT at time of manufacture,

[DATE].''; (2) ``Consult the manufacturer for maintenance, use, or

repair.'' or ``Repair only in factory authorized shop.''; and (3)

``Estimated kilowatts used after 2000 hours continuous operation

according to manufacturer's ratings: __________'', or ``Est. annual kW

used: __________''. (Annual would be defined as ``2000 hours continuous

operation according to manufacturer's ratings.'')

The Department seeks advice on whether such label(s) or marking(s)

would assist purchasers, and on the content, design, size, location,

and attachment of such label(s) or marking(s).

d. Certification. Section 122(e)(2) of the EPAct (EPCA section

345(c), 42 U.S.C. 6316(c)) requires ``manufacturers to certify, through

an independent testing or certification program nationally recognized

in the United States, that such motor meets the applicable (nominal

full-load efficiency standard).''

(1) Compliance. The Department is considering implementation of the

EPAct requirement for ``manufacturers to certify'' by means of a

compliance statement and certification report that each basic model of

energy efficient electric motor meets the requirements of the EPAct.

This is similar to 10 CFR 430.62(a), which sets forth the appliance

program procedures to be followed for certification by requiring each

manufacturer to ``certify by means of a compliance statement and

certification report that each basic model meets the requirements of

that standard.'' A manufacturer's compliance statement and

certification report for each basic model of energy efficient electric

motor would be based, at least in part, upon actual testing or an

alternative efficiency determination method. The Department solicits

the views of interested parties on such a requirement.

(2) Independent testing and certification. The Department is also

considering how to interpret and implement the EPAct requirement for

``manufacturers to certify, through an independent testing or

certification program nationally recognized in the United States, that

such motor meets the applicable (nominal full-load efficiency

standard).'' Such testing or certification programs could be operated

by commercial laboratories, government laboratories, and trade

associations. The Department seeks information as to the identity,

nature, and capabilities of any nationally recognized program(s) for

the testing and certification of motors. The Department is aware that

the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers conducts a program to

verify manufacturers' certifications of the total refrigerated volume

of refrigerators and the energy efficiency values of room air

conditioners; that the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association conducts

a testing program to verify manufacturers' certifications of the energy

efficiency of water heaters, furnaces, room heaters, and boilers; and

[[Page 27054]] that the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute

conducts a testing program to verify manufacturers' certifications of

the energy efficiency and other performance criteria of residential and

commercial air conditioning and heat pump systems. The Department seeks

information on any similar existing programs that certify or verify the

performance characteristics of motors. In addition, the Department

seeks information as to whether foreign commercial laboratories,

foreign government laboratories, or trade associations operate such

programs.

The Department also seeks advice concerning two other possible

issues under 122(e) of the EPAct (EPCA section 345(c), 42 U.S.C.

6316(c)). First, questions may arise as to what constitutes ``an

independent testing or certification program [that is] nationally

recognized.'' The Department seeks input as to the criteria by which an

organization should be considered competent (1) to conduct the specific

tests or calibrations for motors according to the required test

procedures, and (2) to operate a certification program. One possibility

is that the Department could consider a motor testing or certification

program to be ``nationally recognized'' if the program were accredited

by the National Institute of Standards and Technology/National

Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NIST/NVLAP). The Department

seeks views on such an approach, including the question of whether a

foreign program recognized by NIST/NVLAP should be considered

``nationally recognized in the United States.'' Second, the Department

seeks views as to whether manufacturers are permitted to self-test or

self-certify the energy efficiency of their own motors, and, if so,

under what circumstances.

e. Identification of other issues. The Department will seek to

resolve the above issues in developing a proposed rule. In addition,

there may be other issues that the Department will need to address. The

purpose of the meeting is to identify all of these various issues and

to begin dialogue with interested parties to help resolve them.

4. Public Meeting Procedure

The meeting will be conducted in an informal, conference style. A

court reporter will be present to record the minutes of the meeting.

There shall be no discussion of proprietary information, costs or

prices, market shares, or other commercial matters regulated by

antitrust law. After the meeting and period for written statements, the

Department will consider the views presented in formulating a Notice of

Proposed Rulemaking regarding energy efficient motors.

Issued in Washington, DC, May 16, 1995.

Christine A. Ervin,

Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

[FR Doc. 95-12492 Filed 5-19-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P