The ability to move air rapidly and efficiently to and from a heating/cooling system or through and ERV or Air Filtration System is essential in maintaining proper heating and cooling efficiencies as well as minimizing energy costs. For years the electrical motors (non-ECM motors) used to perform these tasks were primarily AC Induction style motors that were either single speed or multi-speed (two to three speeds). They would run at one speed for heating and another speed for cooling and sometimes a third speed for two-stage systems. This speed limitation meant the motors would run at full load amp draw all the time, even during off-demand cycles for the heating/cooling systems. In addition to using more energy, the limitations on speed control meant the fan noise levels from the heating/cooling systems were higher as the motors were always running on high speed.

New GE Variable Speed ECM Motor Technology

The new family of ECM motors offer many possibilities for integrating new capabilities into all types of air moving and air handling products. Their wide speed range, high efficiency and programmability give them a virtually unlimited range of performance characteristics. The new ECM motors by GE offer many benefits and features, some of them are:

Programmable ECM Motor Controls

Programming options for the ECM 2.3 motors include: rotation direction, start/stop ramp rates, on/off blower delays and many other functions all stored in the motor’s microprocessor.

Constant CFM

GE’s sensorless, constant-airflow technology allows the ECM motors to maintain a programmed level of airflow over a wide range of external static pressure in the air distribution systems or air filtration systems.

Motor Diagram

Ultra High-Efficiency

At full load the ECM motor is 20% more efficient than a standard induction motor. When running at lower speeds, such as airflow in off-demand mode in an air handler, the ECM motors use up to 50% less energy than induction motors. In addition, the permanent magnet, DC design allows the ECM Motors to maintain its efficiency over its wide speed range.

ECM Dual-Voltage

The 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, & 1 Hp motors can be used for 120v or 230 volt applications. There is also a separate model for 277-volt applications.