ABB develops IE6 high‑efficiency motor
12th May 2026
UK: ABB claims to be the world’s first manufacturer to offer an IE6 hyper‑efficiency motor certified to ATEX and IECEx requirements for use in hazardous areas.
The IE6 SynRM increased safety motor is certified for use with variable speed drives to offer accurate control and high efficiency throughout the whole speed range, even at partial loads. ABB insists that this makes it the ideal upgrade for standard IE3 induction motors in pumps, fans and compressors.
Based on ABB’s magnet- and rare-earth-free synchronous reluctance technology, the new IE6 motor is said to offer up to 60% lower energy losses than the IE3 induction motors commonly used in Zones 1 and 2.
Over a typical 20-year service life, ABB claims the energy savings from switching just one motor up to IE6 would be €87,5201, resulting in an eight-month payback period with 157,540 kg CO2 avoided.
The new IE6 SynRM Increased safety motor covers ratings from 110kW, with IE5 versions available for up to 90kW.
In Zone 1, cooler running can allow the use of an Increased safety SynRM motor where a flameproof motor with a special enclosure would be the traditional choice, ABB claims. Furthermore, in Zone 2, the improved loadability of SynRM motors enables more power from the same size as an equivalent induction motor. This could enable a smaller, lower-cost motor to fulfil the same duty.
ABB says that the new motors can be applied in a wide variety of cooling applications where electric motors are used. They are designed to be a drop-in replacement for traditional IE4 induction motors without mechanical changes, where they bring the benefits of much greater energy efficiency and improved reliability.
