Small Electric Motors

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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “small electric motor” means a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) general purpose alternating current single-speed induction motor built in a two-digit frame series in accordance with NEMA Standards Publication MG1-1987, including International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) metric equivalent motors.  The scope of this webpage only includes the small electric motors regulated in 10 CFR 431, Subpart X and does not include those electric motors regulated in 10 CFR 431, Subpart B.

Current Standard | Current Test Procedure | Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure | Helpful Links


Recent and Ongoing Activities

DOE published a Federal Register notice of proposed determination (NOPD) on February 6, 2023 that it has initially determined that amended energy conservation standards for small electric motors would not be cost-effective, and, thus, is not proposing to amend its energy conservation standards for this equipment. DOE requests comment on this proposed determination and the associated analyses and results through April 7, 2023.

For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions.  All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

Standards

Notice of Proposed Determination
  • Federal Register, 88FR7629 (February 6, 2023)

Comment Extension Notice 

Request for Information

  • Federal Register, 87FR28782 (May 11, 2022)
  • Federal Register,88FR7629 87FR23471 (April 20, 2022)

The small electric motor conservation standards rulemaking docket EERE-2022-BT-STD-0014 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

Public Meeting Information:

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period has closed.

Test Procedure

Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date

Final rule

  • Federal Register, 86FR7798 (February 2, 2021)
  • The effective dates of the final rule published January 4, 2021, at 86 FR 4, and the accompanying correction published January 15, 2021, at 86 FR 3747, are delayed to March 21, 2021.
  • Federal Register (January 4, 2021)
  • The effective date of this rule is February 3, 2021.
  • The final rule changes will be mandatory for product testing starting July 6, 2021.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 84FR17004 (April 23, 2019)
Notice of Petition
  • Notice of Petition 82FR50844 (November 2, 2017).
Request for Information
  • Request for Information, Extension of Public Comment Period, Federal Register, 82 FR 41179 (August 30, 2017). 
  • Federal Register, 82 FR 35468 (July 31, 2017).

The docket EERE-2017-BT-TP-0047 contains all notices, public comments, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

Public Meeting Information

There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

Submitting Public Comments

The comment period is closed.


Current Standard

Small electric motors manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.446 through 431.448.


Current Test Procedure

Manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified in 10 CFR 431.443 through 431.445 to determine that electric motors that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards.


Helpful Links

Compliance

Records Maintenance Requirements

DOE has established records maintenance requirements for electric motor manufacturers in section 10 CFR 431.403 of the Code of Regulations.  These requirements describe the types, organization, and retention duration of the required documentation.

Waivers

For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.

For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 431.401.

Exceptions

Currently, there are no exemptions for electric motors authorized by DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals. For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.


Import and Export Provisions

10 CFR 431.404 contains provisions on importing electric motors into the United States.

10 CFR 431.405 contains provisions on exporting electric motors from the United States.

Subpoena Authority for Energy Efficiency

10 CFR 431.406 explains subpoena authority given to the Secretary of Energy related to carrying out part 431 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Confidentiality of Electric Motor Data and Information

10 CFR 431.407 explains the protocol for confidentiality requests for manufacturers or private labelers of electric motors to follow when submitting data and information to the DOE.

Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions

For information on further guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.

State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption

DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard.  States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions.  For details, see 10 CFR 431, Subpart W.

Contact information

For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov


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