Energy efficiency measurement tool

Baldor has released a software estimating tool that enables users to evaluate the energy efficiency of electric motors and variable speed drives. Known as BE$T, the Baldor Energy Savings Tool can be downloaded free of charge from the company’s website.

The software analyses the efficiency and annual electricity usage of users’ existing motors and calculates the cost savings that can be achieved by replacing them with equivalent higher efficiency models. Built-in motor performance and pricing information enables the software to suggest optimum replacements and to estimate the investment payback period.

BE$T is useful for electrical engineers and maintenance personnel wishing to implement a comprehensive site-wide motor management strategy, or to simply compare the costs of a motor rewind against those of a replacement motor. The software is also helpful to anyone charged with conducting an energy audit of their company.

Baldor’s BE$T program runs on any standard PC and is very easy to use. Data can either be input from the computer’s keyboard or imported from a Microsoft Excel file - both methods employ drop-down menus and are backed by extensive built-in help. A single screen is used for setting all preferences and global project data, such as local currency, electricity costs, supply frequency, default motor load, etc.

The results are available immediately - simply clicking on the Instant Cost Calculation button will show the amount of energy being used by the existing motor, together with the amount that would be used by comparable Baldor Standard-E (IEC IE2 rated or NEMA ‘Energy Efficient’) and Super-E (IEC IE3 or NEMA ‘Premium Efficient’) models. A built-in report writer function facilitates the creation of a simple summary or detailed report, with an export feature allowing the results to be output to an Excel file for further analysis or archiving.

One powerful feature of BE$T is that it handles what-if? scenarios, enabling users to simplify and accelerate iterative calculations.

Baldor’s BE$T energy-estimating tool runs under Microsoft Windows on any standard PC. The latest version of the software, v3.07, can be downloaded from www.baldor.com/support/software_BEST.asp.