From diesel-powered remote sites to high-duty crushing circuits, TECO’s MAXe3 Mining motors provide efficiency, rugged construction and low-maintenance reliability.
Electric motors account for a large portion of a site’s electrical demand in mining operations, and energy consumption accounts for most of a motor’s cost. That means efficiency is critical.
TECO’s MAXe3 Mining range offers a premium-efficiency solution that can deliver real long-term savings.
“From experience, the cost for a motor when installed is 95 per cent energy consumption throughout its lifetime, so it makes sense that when you select motors that they should be of the energy-efficient type,” TECO Australia sales director Wilfred Krog told Australian Mining.
The TECO MAXe3 series, including the larger AFJN series, has a premium IE3 efficiency standard, with many sizes exceeding the minimum efficiency performance standard (MEPS) levels.
Between reduced load demands and efficient operation under full load, the payback period for upgrading from a less efficient motor to a TECO MAXe3, according to the company, often proves to be very short.
“Once the difference is paid back between a less efficient motor to a premium efficient motor, the savings are real from that day onwards [and] go straight to the bottom line,” Krog said.
On remote mine sites powered by diesel generators, every kilowatt-hour saved translates into lower fuel consumption, fewer emissions and reduced operating cost.
“As the move to more efficient motors continues to gain momentum in the industry, overall consuming costs are becoming more important,” Krog said. “If remote mines sites rely on diesel generators to provide their power, then this energy conversation is even more critical [as] most mine sites have targets to reach with becoming greener.”
The TECO AFJN MAXe3 Mining electric motor is built around a rugged cast-iron, squirrel-cage frame and designed for compactness and strength. According to TECO, the AFJN series offers a 15 per cent increase in power density and a 20 per cent reduction in weight, which helps to maximise space and simplify installation.
Designed for power and resilience, the TECO AFJN MAXe3 is built to handle the extreme conditions typical of mining operations. Those operating conditions often present dust, moisture, high ambient temperatures, vibration, and variable load demands.
TECO has engineered the MAXe3 Mining series to endure these challenges by excluding dust, spray and moisture with its high IP66 rating. Krog said the motors can also “withstand arduous load demands”, whether from vibration or thermal cycling, which is typically experienced on crushers and screens.
“The heavy-duty cast-iron frame with cast cooling fins is one of the heaviest on the market and is most suitable for these applications,” he said.
Additional thermal protection is also built in. The motors include two sets of thermistors as standard, with one for alarm and the other for tripping. For larger motors, resistance temperature devices (RTD) can also be installed in the stator windings or bearings to provide real-time condition-monitoring.
“Reliability is probably the most important issue that TECO addresses, with a patented grease relief system fitted for bearing maintenance,” Krog said. “This allows the motor to be maintained whilst in operation, whether that’s manually or with auto lubricators.
The motors’ additional rotating labyrinth seals also help to eliminate dust and moisture, which is a significant gain when it comes to extending service life.
With TECO motors designed, improved and innovated over the last four decades, the TECO MAXe3 Mining series delivers a proven blend of efficiency, durability and low maintenance.
These motors are a reliable route to cut energy use, reduce emissions and improve performance while also offering a practical, future-ready choice for modern mine sites.
This feature appeared in the February issue of Australian Mining magazine.