IE4 efficiency suitable for VSD, soft starter and direct-on-line operation make the TECO MAXeV4 a simple, reliable and cost-saving motor upgrade.
TECO is leading a new frontier in motor technology with the introduction of its new MAXeV4 IE4 Super Premium Efficiency motor.
The motor, which can support a range of utility applications, doesn’t require a variable speed drive, something TECO Australia and New Zealand product manager – low voltage motors Atheer Yaseen Nashi said is a key differentiator.
“Many competitor IE4 solutions rely on permanent magnet or synchronous reluctance motor technologies, which must be paired with a variable speed drive (VSD),” Nashi told Utility.
“The TECO MAXeV4, on the other hand, delivers true IE4 efficiency without requiring a VSD.”
The direct-on-line (DOL) nature of the TECO MAXeV4 motor underpins optimised electromagnetic design for reduced losses, high reliability with mechanical robustness, and lower operating temperatures for longer bearing and insulation life.
“This combination of super premium efficiency, flexibility, and maintainability positions the TECO MAXeV4 uniquely in the market,” Nashi said.
The TECO MAXeV4 shares the common TECO footprint, meaning it can easily replace IE2 and IE3 motors in-situ, and while it is inherently designed without the need for a VSD, it can and will support both fixed speed and VSD-driven systems.
The MAXeV4’s IE4 efficiency reduces energy loss and heat generation. This directly translates to lower power consumption and operating costs, improved motor life and reliability, reduced CO₂ emissions and sustainability gains, plus better alignment with future regulatory and compliance frameworks.
Overall, upgrading to a TECO MAXeV4 motor can deliver up to 7.7 per cent energy savings over an IE2 motor, and up to 4 per cent over an IE3 motor, with a typical payback period being under 2–3 years.
“For utilities, where motors often run continuously, the lifecycle savings can be significant, making IE4 efficiency one of the fastest cost-recovery investments in rotating equipment,” Nashi said.
Nashi sees motor technologies increasingly moving beyond IE2 and IE3 efficiencies as sustainability obligations heighten.
“With increasing regulatory pressure, rising energy prices, and growing ESG (environmental, social and governance) commitments, IE4 efficiency will rapidly shift from a premium option to a standard expectation,” he said.
“The TECO MAXeV4 positions utilities and industry ahead of future compliance requirements, ensuring a smooth transition to super premium efficiency equipment without disruption.”
Equipment reliability is quintessential to the success of any utility, especially in critical infrastructure environments where downtime is costly.
To mitigate operational headaches, the TECO MAXeV4 boasts conventional induction motor design to boost ease of maintenance. This ensures the machine is suited to both new installations and retrofit environments.
The TECO MAXeV4 has been developed to support a range of utility applications, including water and wastewater pump stations, HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling), aeration systems, irrigation and rural pumping, desalination systems and treatment plants, and remote or isolated networks where service access are limited.
“The motor’s rugged, mechanical design and high efficiency make it especially well-suited to long-duty-cycle pumping operations typical in the utility sector,” Nashi said.
With a power range of 0.75kW – 315kW, the TECO MAXeV4 is available in 2, 4 and 6 pole options, has a protection rating of IP66, and is Class H insulated rated at 180°C (with maximum 80°C temperature rise).
Nashi sees the TECO MAXeV4 motor playing an important role moving forward.
“Utilities, industrial operators, and OEMs are now looking beyond compliance and towards long-term energy responsibility,” he said.
“The TECO MAXeV4 was created to meet these demands – providing a high-efficiency solution that is simple to deploy, is cost-effective over its lifetime, and can easily replace any IE2 or IE3 motor, bringing operators up to speed with modern efficiency standards.”
