ECM or electronically commutated motors are otherwise known as Brushless DC motors. Compared to other motors, these electronically commutated motors are powered by direct current rather than AC or alternating current. This type of motor is known for making highly significant energy savings. Comparing them to permanent split capacity motors, they can actually save up to 67% on energy savings on average.

Development of Eletronically Commutated Motor: Equipment manufacturers have been using ECM motor since 1985. It was mostly used for furnaces and air conditioning units. Back then, this motor wwas only made in either 240 VAC or 120 VAC. More commercially suited applications for this type of DC powered motor came a little bit later. During the latter part of the 90′s, a new 277 VAC version was introduced and was primarily designed for commercial use. One of the first commercial applications used for this type of motor was for series fan powered terminal units. 12 and even higher SEER ratings were made possible by using ECM motor.

Noted Features and Benefits: ECM motor is programmable and is noted for it’s high efficiency compared to permanent split capacitor induction motors. Comparing it to AC motors, an electronically commutated motor is definitely more energy efficient by a very considerable margin.

This type of brush less motor can maintain a higher efficiency rate even at different speeds. Some manufacturers have bench marked this efficiency and rated it at 65% to 72%. This basically translates to lower operating costs, which is a true lofty goal for anyone engaged in the manufacturing industry or even in other related industries as well.

As stated earlier, ECM motor is highly programmable. Slewed speed ramps can be programmed into this type of brushless motor. Manufacturers can also program soft starts directly into this type of DC powered motor. This very significant feature of electronically commutated motors allows equipment designers to reduce and ultimately eliminate any amount of stress on other pieces of hardware, which also includes other necessary parts such as mounting brackets.

ECM motor is very well noted for it’s wider operating range. This brushless motor is outfitted with ball bearings unlike other types of motors that make use of sleeve bearings. Ball bearings actually provide several distinct advantages. The biggest advantage of course is that they allow permanent lubrication whereas sleeve bearings will require a certain minimal amount of rotations per minute for oiling.

There are a lot of other notable benefits that can be garnered from ECM motor that would be quite interesting for anyone who is looking to reduce manufacturing costs. Manufacturers can replace their old motors with this type of motor without making other necessary equipment changes. In fact, there are a lot of motors of this type that can match the sizes of other motors that are in common use today. The ambient temperature of these motors is highly desirable since this translates lower energy requirements.

These brushless motors can be made with an air volume controller that is field adjustable. The fan operation is completely pressure independent. The air volume capacity of an ECM motor can also be pre-set in the factory.