The energy-efficiency regulatory update scheduled for 2023 will affect builders of HVAC equipment, industrial fans, cooling towers and pumps, including those used in irrigation systems. The new standard has many OEMs considering a switch from induction motors to variable frequency drives (VFDs) combined with permanent magnet motors.An interior permanent magnet motor, or IPM, is a synchronous motor with permanent magnets embedded inside. It’s more energy efficient than a standard induction motor because there’s no current flow to the rotor (secondary side) and no secondary copper loss. Magnetic flux is generated with permanent magnets, and so less motor current is required. In addition, the embedded magnets provide reluctance torque, which can also be applied to a machine’s power system. Mitsubishi Electric’s FR-E800, FR-F800 and FR-A800 drives can work with either induction or permanent magnet motors, according to Chris Rhodes, product marketing manager. “This flexibility means machine builders won’t have to change their control panels, just the motor, if they decide to move from induction to permanent magnet motors. It will just be a matter of phase-in, phase out, so OEMs can move at their own pace.”