Electrical steel has become increasingly critical for energy efficiency as the world transitions to cleaner power. This metallic alloy helps power transformers, motors, generators and other electrical equipment work more efficiently. However, the standards for testing and evaluating electrical steel performance have not kept pace.
Importance of Electrical Steel
Electrical steel is fundamentally enabling energy transition and efficiency. Its unique magnetic properties mean electrical devices like transformers and motors lose less power. As the global focus on sustainability rises, demand for electrical steel grows. The market is projected to reach $35 billion by 2027. Improved grades could conservatively save 2-3% of all electricity consumption.
But to maximize these savings, deficiencies in the standards to measure electrical steel must be addressed. Most standards characterize efficiency only in ideal test conditions on samples, not real-world performance in finished devices. The processes are complex and inconsistent between test facilities. Current grades predominantly address older 50-60 Hz systems, not modern high-frequency applications.
Outdated Standards
Major standards like IEC 60404-2 focus on testing small steel samples using Epstein frames. But real electrical cores experience different magnetization patterns. Factors like insulation, stacking, and lamination are not accounted for. Test frequencies and waveforms remain simplistic compared to actual operating conditions. Such gaps lead to suboptimal electrical steel selection and core designs.
Additionally, measurement setups require significant expertise for quality results. Complex calibration and calculations make it hard to compare data across test labs and users. Ambiguity in the standards also leads to variable testing practices.
Call for New Standards
To fully utilize electrical steel’s potential, standards must evolve to represent real-world efficiency in finished transformers, motors and generators. Expanded grades need to characterize high frequency performance. Test methods should be simplified for easy adoption.
Steps to achieve this include testing fully laminated cores instead of just samples, using computational modeling to predict losses, and introducing non-sinusoidal test waveforms. Expanding the scope to 400+ Hz applications and detailing consistent test processes will also benefit efficiency optimization.
Updating standards will drive rapid improvements in electrical steel. Given its green benefits, the collaboration between research institutions, manufacturers and standard bodies is vital to bring testing practices up to speed. The payoff will be significant energy savings globally.