# What does a BEE star rating on an induction motor mean?

Canonical: https://senseible.earth/answers/bee-star-rating-induction-motor

BEE rates three phase induction motors from 1 star (IE2) to 5 star (IE3++, equivalent to IE4) by full-load efficiency. A 7.5 kW, 4 pole motor needs 88.7 percent for 1 star, 90.4 for 3 stars and 92.6 for 5 stars. Labelling is voluntary.

## Stars and efficiency classes

- 1 star: IE2 up to IE2(+).
- 2 star: IE2(+) up to IE3.
- 3 star: IE3 up to IE3(+).
- 4 star: IE3(+) up to IE3(++).
- 5 star: IE3(++), which BEE equates to IE4 values.

## What it covers

Schedule 6 covers 2, 4 and 6 pole squirrel cage motors for continuous duty, as per IS 12615:2011, from 0.37 kW to 375 kW. IE2 is the entry level for a label. There is no tolerance on the star band: the motors tested must meet the threshold.

## Using it when you buy

1. Find your motor's rating and poles in the schedule table.
2. Compare the efficiency at each star level.
3. Weigh the price difference against running hours, as in the IE2 to IE4 replacement page.

## Schedule 6, 4 pole motors (nominal efficiency, percent)

- 7.5 kW: 1 star 88.7, 2 star 89.6, 3 star 90.4, 4 star 91.5, 5 star 92.6
- 37 kW: 1 star 92.7, 2 star 93.3, 3 star 93.9, 4 star 94.6, 5 star 95.3

From BEE Schedule 6, Table 2. Check the table for your rating and pole count.

## What Senseible does here

Senseible reads your electricity bills into monthly Scope 2 records, so a motor upgrade appears as a measured drop in kWh at the same production.

- [IE2 to IE4 motors](https://senseible.earth/answers/ie2-to-ie4-motor-replacement-savings)
- [Rewind or replace a motor](https://senseible.earth/answers/rewind-or-replace-failed-motor-co2)
- [Mandatory vs voluntary labels](https://senseible.earth/answers/bee-mandatory-vs-voluntary-star-label)

Sources: [BEE Schedule 6, energy efficient three phase induction motors (revision 2, 2013; fee amendment 2016)](https://beeindia.gov.in/WriteReadData/RTF1984/RTF-PDF-f81c87cff95e6518_1777956483.pdf), [BEE, Standards and Labelling programme overview](https://beeindia.gov.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=2&ls_id=916&lid=750)

Last reviewed 2026-10-23.