431.445—Determination of small electric motor efficiency.
(a) Scope.
When a party determines the energy efficiency of a small electric motor to comply with an obligation imposed on it by or pursuant to Part A-1 of Title III of EPCA, 42 U.S.C. 6311-631 7, this section applies.
(b) Provisions applicable to all small electric motors—
(1) General requirements.
The average full-load efficiency of each basic model of small electric motor must be determined either by testing in accordance with § 431.444 of this subpart, or by application of an alternative efficiency determination method (AEDM) that meets the requirements of paragraphs (a)(2) and (3) of this section, provided, however, that an AEDM may be used to determine the average full-load efficiency of one or more of a manufacturer's basic models only if the average full-load efficiency of at least five of its other basic models is determined through testing.
(i)
Derived from a mathematical model that represents the mechanical and electrical characteristics of that basic model, and
(ii)
Based on engineering or statistical analysis, computer simulation or modeling, or other analytic evaluation of performance data.
(3) Substantiation of an alternative efficiency determination method.
Before an AEDM is used, its accuracy and reliability must be substantiated as follows:
(i)
The AEDM must be applied to at least five basic models that have been tested in accordance with § 431.444; and
(ii)
The predicted total power loss for each such basic model, calculated by applying the AEDM, must be within plus or minus 10 percent of the mean total power loss determined from the testing of that basic model.
(4) Subsequent verification of an AEDM.
(i)
Each manufacturer that has used an AEDM under this section shall have available for inspection by the Department of Energy records showing the method or methods used; the mathematical model, the engineering or statistical analysis, computer simulation or modeling, and other analytic evaluation of performance data on which the AEDM is based; complete test data, product information, and related information that the manufacturer has generated or acquired pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of this section; and the calculations used to determine the efficiency and total power losses of each basic model to which the AEDM was applied.
(ii)
If requested by the Department, the manufacturer shall conduct simulations to predict the performance of particular basic models of small electric motors specified by the Department, analyses of previous simulations conducted by the manufacturer, sample testing of basic models selected by the Department, or a combination of the foregoing.
(c) Additional testing requirements—
(1) Selection of basic models for testing if an AEDM is to be applied.
(i)
A manufacturer must select basic models for testing in accordance with the criteria that follow:
(A)
Two of the basic models must be among the five basic models with the highest unit volumes of production by the manufacturer in the prior year, or during the prior 12-month period before the effective date of the energy efficiency standard, whichever is later, and in identifying these five basic models, any small electric motor that does not comply with § 431.446 shall be excluded from consideration;
(C)
At least one basic model should be selected from each of the frame number series for the designs of small electric motors for which the AEDM is to be used; and
(D)
Each basic model should have the lowest nominal full-load efficiency among the basic models with the same rating (“rating” as used here has the same meaning as it has in the definition of “basic model”).
(ii)
If it is impossible for a manufacturer to select basic models for testing in accordance with all of these criteria, the criteria shall be given priority in the order in which they are listed. Within the limits imposed by the criteria, basic models shall be selected randomly.