BOSTON, Mass. - ECM displays benefits of using PCB stator motors for pump applications. 

The New England Aquarium, based in Boston Massachusetts, recently commissioned ECM to replace a conventional 2.2kW pump motor, used to service a tank responsible for the rehabilitation of injured sea turtles, with a custom PCB stator motor solution. 

The legacy motor that ECM replaced had a rated motor efficiency of 79%, weighed 17kg, and was over 13 inches in axial length. ECM’s solution has a rated motor efficiency of 93%, a mass of 12kg, and an axial length of just 3.9 inches.

Further, a Fluke 35 Series II Power Analyzer was used to measure the power consumption of both motors to directly compare performance. The aquarium’s existing solution had an average power consumption of 3.36kW, indicating the motor was likely running at a load condition greater than the 3HP rated operating point. After the ECM machine was installed, an average power consumption of 3.02kW was observed for the entire motor system.
By using ECM’s motor solution, NEA gained:

1. Over a 17% increase in efficiency
2. More than a 70% decrease in axial length
3. More than a 30% decrease in weight
4. And a 10% decrease in average power consumption for the entire motor system

Motor durability was another factor of particular interest in this application. Living in a harsh, saline environment, the legacy motor had many issues with reliability, specifically with salt buildup as well as bearing failure from corrosion. Since ECM motors have fully encapsulated copper windings and are totally enclosed machines, IP ratings of IP68 or higher can be achieved to help increase life expectancy of the ECM motor in comparison with existing solutions. The ECM PCB stator motor has been running continuously at the New England Aquarium, without issue since August 2021.
  
For more on the entirety of the upgrade and next steps, please email info@pcbstator.com or visit pcbstator.com/design-your-own to learn more about our 5-step integration process.

SNIPPET: The New England Aquarium, based in Boston Massachusetts, recently commissioned ECM to replace a conventional 2.2kW pump motor, used to service a tank responsible for the rehabilitation of injured sea turtles, with a custom PCB stator motor solution.