The European Standard EN 50598-2: Efficiency classes of converters and drive systems

A new Standard that defines, for the first time, efficiency classes for converters and electric drive systems will take effect in 2014. This paper focuses on the drive system, which is referred to as Power Drive System (PDS) in the Standard. The paper also addresses the procedure for determining the drive system efficiency classes, referred to as IES classes, as well as the possible loss determination methods - such as measurement, calculation, etc. Finally, the authors provide an example of the losses distribution in a typical PDS and highlight the key factors that should be considered when undertaking a system optimization.