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ABB Launches IE6 Motor for Hazardous Industrial Areas
Magnet-free synchronous reluctance motor targets energy-efficient operation in ATEX and IECEx-certified environments.
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IE6 Synchronous reluctance (SynRM) motor Increased safety for zones 1 and 2
ABB has introduced an IE6 Hyper-Efficiency synchronous reluctance motor certified for hazardous environments under ATEX and IECEx requirements. The motor is designed for use in industries where explosive gas, vapor, or dust may be present, including chemical processing, marine operations, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and food production.
According to ABB, the magnet-free IE6 synchronous reluctance motor reduces energy losses by up to 60 percent compared with conventional IE3 induction motors commonly used in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas. The system is intended to support industrial operators seeking to lower operational energy consumption while meeting increasingly strict sustainability and emissions targets.
IE6 efficiency for hazardous-area applications
The motor is based on ABB’s synchronous reluctance motor technology, which operates without permanent magnets or rare-earth materials. Synchronous reluctance designs improve efficiency by minimizing rotor energy losses while maintaining compatibility with variable speed drive systems.
The IE6 motor has been certified for operation with frequency converters, enabling variable-speed control and optimized efficiency across a broad operating range, including partial-load conditions. Variable-speed operation is particularly important in industrial systems such as pumps, compressors, and ventilation equipment, where energy demand fluctuates depending on process conditions.
High-efficiency motor technologies are becoming increasingly important within industrial digital supply chain operations where electricity consumption represents a significant portion of long-term operating costs. Pumping, ventilation, and compression systems are among the largest industrial electricity consumers across manufacturing and process industries.
ABB IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor and frequency converter in compressor applications
Energy savings and operational performance
ABB stated that replacing a single 110 kW IE3 induction motor with the new IE6 synchronous reluctance motor can generate estimated energy savings of approximately EUR 87,520 over a 20-year operational lifespan. The estimate is based on annual operation of 8,760 hours at 75 percent average load and an assumed electricity cost of EUR 0.20 per kWh.
Under the same operating assumptions, ABB calculated that the efficiency improvement could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 157,540 kg over the motor’s service life. The company stated that this reduction is comparable to the annual emissions generated by 37 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.
The projected payback period for the upgrade was estimated at approximately eight months, reflecting reduced electricity consumption during continuous industrial operation.
ABB IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor and frequency converter for pump applications
Design advantages in hazardous environments
The IE6 synchronous reluctance motor is available from 110 kW, while IE5 versions are offered up to 90 kW. ABB stated that the lower operating temperatures of the synchronous reluctance design can simplify installation requirements in hazardous environments.
In Zone 1 applications, the reduced thermal profile may allow operators to use Increased Safety motor configurations instead of traditional flameproof motors that require heavier protective enclosures. Lower heat generation can also improve operational reliability and reduce maintenance requirements in demanding industrial environments.
ABB additionally noted that improved overload capability in Zone 2 environments may allow synchronous reluctance motors to deliver higher power output within the same motor frame size compared with equivalent induction motors. This enables the use of smaller motor configurations for equivalent industrial applications.
IEC Low voltage motors for hazardous areas
Competitive context in industrial motor efficiency
Industrial motor efficiency classifications range from IE1 to IE6 under international IEC efficiency standards, with IE6 representing one of the highest currently recognized efficiency levels for low-voltage industrial motors.
Traditional hazardous-area motor installations have commonly relied on IE3 induction motor technology due to certification and operational reliability requirements. ABB stated that the new certification expands the availability of ultra-high-efficiency motor technology for hazardous industrial applications where certified equipment compliance is mandatory.
The IE6 and IE5 synchronous reluctance motors are part of ABB’s broader IEC low-voltage hazardous-area motor portfolio, which also includes induction motor systems up to IE4 efficiency class.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
www.abb.com
ABB has introduced an IE6 Hyper-Efficiency synchronous reluctance motor certified for hazardous environments under ATEX and IECEx requirements. The motor is designed for use in industries where explosive gas, vapor, or dust may be present, including chemical processing, marine operations, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and food production.
According to ABB, the magnet-free IE6 synchronous reluctance motor reduces energy losses by up to 60 percent compared with conventional IE3 induction motors commonly used in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas. The system is intended to support industrial operators seeking to lower operational energy consumption while meeting increasingly strict sustainability and emissions targets.
IE6 efficiency for hazardous-area applications
The motor is based on ABB’s synchronous reluctance motor technology, which operates without permanent magnets or rare-earth materials. Synchronous reluctance designs improve efficiency by minimizing rotor energy losses while maintaining compatibility with variable speed drive systems.
The IE6 motor has been certified for operation with frequency converters, enabling variable-speed control and optimized efficiency across a broad operating range, including partial-load conditions. Variable-speed operation is particularly important in industrial systems such as pumps, compressors, and ventilation equipment, where energy demand fluctuates depending on process conditions.
High-efficiency motor technologies are becoming increasingly important within industrial digital supply chain operations where electricity consumption represents a significant portion of long-term operating costs. Pumping, ventilation, and compression systems are among the largest industrial electricity consumers across manufacturing and process industries.
ABB IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor and frequency converter in compressor applications
Energy savings and operational performance
ABB stated that replacing a single 110 kW IE3 induction motor with the new IE6 synchronous reluctance motor can generate estimated energy savings of approximately EUR 87,520 over a 20-year operational lifespan. The estimate is based on annual operation of 8,760 hours at 75 percent average load and an assumed electricity cost of EUR 0.20 per kWh.
Under the same operating assumptions, ABB calculated that the efficiency improvement could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 157,540 kg over the motor’s service life. The company stated that this reduction is comparable to the annual emissions generated by 37 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.
The projected payback period for the upgrade was estimated at approximately eight months, reflecting reduced electricity consumption during continuous industrial operation.
ABB IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor and frequency converter for pump applications
Design advantages in hazardous environments
The IE6 synchronous reluctance motor is available from 110 kW, while IE5 versions are offered up to 90 kW. ABB stated that the lower operating temperatures of the synchronous reluctance design can simplify installation requirements in hazardous environments.
In Zone 1 applications, the reduced thermal profile may allow operators to use Increased Safety motor configurations instead of traditional flameproof motors that require heavier protective enclosures. Lower heat generation can also improve operational reliability and reduce maintenance requirements in demanding industrial environments.
ABB additionally noted that improved overload capability in Zone 2 environments may allow synchronous reluctance motors to deliver higher power output within the same motor frame size compared with equivalent induction motors. This enables the use of smaller motor configurations for equivalent industrial applications.
IEC Low voltage motors for hazardous areas
Competitive context in industrial motor efficiency
Industrial motor efficiency classifications range from IE1 to IE6 under international IEC efficiency standards, with IE6 representing one of the highest currently recognized efficiency levels for low-voltage industrial motors.
Traditional hazardous-area motor installations have commonly relied on IE3 induction motor technology due to certification and operational reliability requirements. ABB stated that the new certification expands the availability of ultra-high-efficiency motor technology for hazardous industrial applications where certified equipment compliance is mandatory.
The IE6 and IE5 synchronous reluctance motors are part of ABB’s broader IEC low-voltage hazardous-area motor portfolio, which also includes induction motor systems up to IE4 efficiency class.
Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
www.abb.com
