ECM vs Variable Speed Motor – [Differences, Cost & More]
The furnace is the item that brings life to the chilly winter months. The functionality of the furnaces has a direct impact on the type of blower motor used in them. ECM vs Variable Speed Motor is an area that every homeowner must have a clear understanding of when selecting a furnace for their premises. We are going to give you a hand in the situation via this article.
When selecting electrical equipment, energy consumption is a widely concerned fact globally. Knowing the rates of motor used in your furnaces or air conditioners will save you more on your utility bills. In a way, it will conserve the environment.
What is an ECM?
ECM is the abbreviated term for Electronically Commutated Motor. It consists of mainly three parts: a circuit board, electronic control module, and a three-phase motor. The three-phase motor comes with a permanent magnet rotor.
ECM is a DC motor and is brushless. The circuit board is the part that connects the motor with the HVAC systems like outdoor blower fans, furnaces, or air conditioners.
The electronic control module is the part that converts single-phase power (120v or 240v) to three-phase Direct Current. Hence it is the inverter that changes AC to DC to be used in the appliances.
Conventional DC motors consist of brush and slip rings that create a magnetic field when transforming AC current for commercial use.
The friction and the collisions of the brushes are not presented in an ECM motor as it generates a magnetic field with a voltage rectifier and an electronic control module. Hence the lifespan of an ECM motor is higher as the wearing is eliminated as that of the brushed motors.
ECMs are more efficient than Shaded-pole motors and Permanent Split Capacitor motors (PSC). Some ECMs consist of a speed control mechanism, and some are fixed speeds. You can choose the suitable one according to your necessity.
The heat production in ECM functioning is less, and that leads to generating less heat. We can hear loud noises with traditional motors, and the issue is successfully overruled with the invention of ECM motors.
The high efficiency of ECM motors is highly admired in HVAC applications like air conditioners and furnaces.
What is a Variable Speed Motor?
A Variable Speed Motor is a motor with Variable Speed Drive (VSD). VSD is a component that controls the speed of the motor and the torque. VSD is there to convert fixed voltage and frequency to a variable voltage and frequency.
The energy conservation is higher as a control unit manipulates a variable speed motor. Variable speed motors can replace traditional motors in any commercial or domestic HVAC systems and work for the highest efficiency of all time.
The main feature that contributes to saving your expenses is the ability to control airflow. Issues like windmilling and shaft seal failures have no room with VSM motors.
These motors can be controlled via analog or discrete motor signals. VCM motor with VSD will continue to lower the stress on the other components of the system. The airflow and temperature could also be controlled with pressure control.
Variable Speed Motors are convenient for commercial purposes but are not commonly found.
Pressure control units and vacuum boosters can be operated with the help of Variable Speed Motors.
They can also act as amplifiers of pressure for air blower pneumatic conveying applications.
Industrial vice Variable Speed Motors can be the most efficient way to cool or heat an empty space. They can fit many equipments.
ECM vs Variable Speed Motors: Differences
In ECM, the AC current that is received from the supplier is converted to a DC signal by the inverter mechanism and outputted.
There is no frequency change in the current formation, and the AC signal decides the output voltage of the DC current. But in Variable Speed Motors, the rectifier bridge converts the received AC voltage to DC, and that DC is filtered through capacitors and inductors when supplying to the device.
The excess current is again transmitted into DC and again to the motor, causing a fluctuation in the frequency.
ECM motor needs single phase-AC current and has one-time conversion. But Variable Speed Motors have a three-phase AC system. It consists of a rectifier bridge, DC capacitor, and inverter, creating DC output with different frequencies.
The horsepower of ECM motors is 10hp, but Variable Speed Motors have a wide range of horsepower.
ECM consists of multiple winding and a mechanism of the control module to the action of the rotor. Hence the cleaning and repairing are way more complex. The maintenance is low in VSM motors and can be done easily compared to an ECM.
When to Use ECM and When to Use Variable Speed Motors?
ECM can be used in single-purpose applications only. Because there is a constant horsepower, and usually, it is lower than 10 hp.
On the contrary, VSM suits any kind of application as of the differentiation of outputs. Hence the efficiency of VSM motors is higher than ECM.
As per the speed changes and the high-speed performances, VSM motors are widely used in HVAC devices. But as the speed fluctuate, these motors are not recommended to use in machines where the slow input rate causes operational issues like poor torque or mal performances in cooling.
If you need to buy an HVAC machine like a furnace or an outdoor blower fan, you will surely end up with the question of the motor type.
Well, the answer will depend according to many factors like the nature of the machine and the space where the machine handles. For instance, if the application is a direct drive like rotary tables and gimbles, the ECM will be the appropriate one.
HVAC machines will be more effective with VSM motors. But sometimes you will get recommendations to use a furnace with an ECM machine because of its lower cost. But generally, Variable Speed Motor furnaces are more efficient in saving power.
Cost Comparison
ECM motors are less costly than Variable Speed Motors. ECM motors can cost somewhere between $600 – $800. You can expect more for a VSM.
Variable Speed Motor presents a complex interior. Therefore, the installation cost is higher when compared with an ECM motor that needs less effort. In case of breakdowns, the approach is easier in ECM motors.
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Video Credits – AC Service Tech LLC
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My name is Robot McCullum, and I’m an Automotive Engineer with 20+ years of experience in the automotive field. I’ll give you step-by-step instructions for recognizing and fixing complicated technical problems in an uncomplicated manner. www.AutoTipClub.com, is your best resource for in-depth tutorials, insightful tips, and practical advice designed and developed either for seasoned vehicle collectors or daily drivers.
