In an effort to to become more energy efficient, South African water utility ERWAT is installing WEG IE3 top premium efficiency and WEG IE4 super premium efficiency motors from Zest WEG.

The utility anticipates that the motors from WEG’s W22 low voltage (LV) range will assist in reducing the impact of rising electricity costs, lower the total cost of ownership, and contribute to improving the general performance of its plants.

Zest WEG’s local assembly plant and high levels of local inventory, as well as its standard five-year warranty, are said to be key to ERWAT’s decision to install the motors. The company also equips the motors to withstand the demanding conditions of operating within the water sector.

Zest WEG sector specialist in public sector business development Dillon Govender notes that the energy savings when using the WEG IE4 super premium efficiency motors reduce their payback times to as little as a year. From this perspective alone, he says, it does not make commercial sense to keep repairing older, less efficient motors.

“In addition to reducing energy consumption, these WEG LV motors also reduce the carbon emissions related to electricity generation in South Africa,” he says. Migrating from the W22 IE3 model to the W22 IE4 is also seamless, as the critical dimensions do not change. The WEG W22 IE4 super premium efficiency motors are designed according to the DIN EN 50347 standard which means it can replace an IE1, IE2 or IE3 motor with similar frame sizes, and as a result no modifications are required when mounting the motors to the base plate.

The company also equips the motors to withstand the demanding conditions of operating within the water sector. To operate effectively in a water treatment plant, the motors must withstand the wet, damp or corrosive environment. This could require solutions ranging from the use of specialised epoxy paint and internal tropicalisation measures, to the supply of canopies for vertical applications.

“Water treatment plants in South Africa also have to contend with the disruption of regular loadshedding, which can reduce their ability to treat the required volumes each day,” says Govender, concluding that the installation of WEG’s W22 LV motors will ensure higher energy efficiency, as well as greater reliability.