Widely used in residential, commercial and industrial applications, AC motors have a simple design, with only one moving part. This feature contributes to their robustness as there are no components, like the brushes found in DC types, that are prone to wear and tear or produce electrical and audible noise. As such, these electric motors do not need regular maintenance, repair and replacement of parts, which means reduced downtime.
These advantages have earned AC motors a growing market in electric vehicles, robotics and HVAC systems, in addition to their inherent characteristics that match these applications.
Globally, AC motors are forecast to have a $25 billion market by 2031, with a 4.7 percent CAGR from 2022, according to Allied Market Research. In 2021, they reached $15.7 billion.
Pitch for AC motors
In China, manufacturers continue their R&D work to enhance AC motor efficiency and reliability, especially with the world’s biggest EV and industrial robotics markets in their midst. Based on the country’s 2021 shipments, the industrial and automotive sectors accounted for 42 and 26 percent, according to Chinese portal Huaon.
Chinese companies are also planning to boost the development and production of better AC servo motors for industrial robotics and electronics manufacturing. These electromechanical components have advantages of high precision, wide speed adjustment range and easy control, in addition to being low-cost. In 2021, the AC type represented 65 percent of China’s total servo motor shipments valued at $1.93 billion, according to Chinabaogao. This category is expected to post double-digit growth rates by the end of 2023 and 2024.
China AC motor manufacturing
Overall, China’s AC motor industry, one of the world's largest, has been expanding in recent years. Its turnout was 429.287 million kW in 2022, increasing 5.99 percent year on year, according to Zhiyan Consulting. A further 5 to 10 percent increase is likely in 2023 and by 2024.
Based on export value, there was higher growth achieved in 2022, with China-made AC motors exceeding $5.97 billion in 2022 or a 7 percent rise from the previous year. The top destinations that year were Indonesia, India, Brazil, Turkey and the US.
Southeast Asia, Europe and the US will remain the main overseas markets in the coming years. Many Chinese suppliers are confident of more orders from these locations and domestically and will boost their production levels accordingly.
China has hundreds of AC motor manufacturers, which include top homegrown suppliers such as Wolong Electric, Wannan Motor and Shandong Huali. They are joined by major foreign players such as Siemens, Nidec, and Baldor Electric or ABB, its current name following the acquisition by the Swedish-Swiss company.
Many factories are found in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong, with others in Anhui, Hebei, Shandong and Hunan as well as in Shanghai.
Typical China-made AC motors
Chinese manufacturers offer single- and three-phase synchronous and induction or asynchronous AC motors for household appliances, electric tools, and automotive, medical and industrial applications.
Widely available units have a rated voltage of 110, 220 or 380VAC, rated frequency of 50/60Hz, rotation speed ranging from 750 to 21,000rpm and life span of more than 1,000 hours. There are water-resistant types, typically with a rating higher than IP65.
Products can be customized to meet specific requirements and are made according to industry standards such as UL, CE, CSA and RoHS.
Manufacturers obtain key components, including rotors, stators, shafts and cases, from domestic or foreign suppliers, depending on buyers’ preferences.
So far this year, the cost of these production inputs has been relatively stable and it will stay so through 2024. Due to competition, however, it is likely that some manufacturers will lower the prices of their AC motors to attract more customers.
Capacitor-start capacitor-run AC motor, 1/3 to 10hp
Company: Cixi Waylead Electric Motor Mfg Co. Ltd
Cixi offers the TEFC, a capacitor-start capacitor-run AC motor with 1/3 to 10hp power. This single-phase unit has two or four poles, a 56-215T frame and a manual or auto thermal protector. It is IP23-rated, and meets CSA and CUS standards.
MOQ: 60 cartons
Lead time: 35 days
CW, CCW, bidirectional AC motor
Company: Ningbo FengTech Motor Co. Ltd
Rated at 24, 110 or 220V, 50/60Hz, Ningbo FengTech’s 49TYD-1 AC motor has input and output power ratings of 2.5 to 7W and 1.2W. It rotates clockwise, counterclockwise or both directions, and has less than 45dB noise. This unit, with a Class E or B insulation, has 100Mohm insulation resistance at 500VDC and -10 to 40 C operating temperature. It meets UL, CE, CCC and RoHS requirements.
MOQ: 1,000 units
Lead time: 30 days
AC motor, 960 or 1,425rpm
Company: Powerstar Motor Mfg Co. Ltd
Model YDK-550-6 from Powerstar is a four- or six-pole AC motor with 115 or 208 to 240V voltage, 50/60Hz frequency, 1/4 to 3/4hp power, 960 or 1,425rpm speed and -10 to 43 C operating temperature.
MOQ: 200 units
Lead time: 25 days
2,400rpm AC motor
Company: ZJTEX Electric Group Co. Ltd
Suitable for use in air coolers and air purifiers, the YYF80-20 AC motor from ZJTEX has 220V rated voltage, 50Hz frequency, 1.2µF capacitance at 450V and 2,400rpm speed. The rated power is 20W.
MOQ: 500 units
Lead time: 25 days
