The Measurement of Additional Losses in Induction Motors: Discussion about the Actually Achievable Uncertainty

In this paper, a discussion is presented concerning the combined uncertainty when measuring residual and additional losses in the efficiency evaluation of three-phase induction motors, by evaluating some experimental results obtained on a commercial motor. The IEC 60034-2-1 standard is considered, in comparison to a previous version of this standard requiring the estimation of residual losses instead of their measurement. A major goal is to investigate if the complex measurement method introduced in the present version of the standard is justified or not by processing the actually achievable uncertainty both in additional losses and in the overall efficiency measurement. Finally, some considerations are presented about additional issues concerning the classification of the tested motor, in comparison to the IE (International Efficiency) efficiency levels.