Pumps, fans, and motor-driven systems are widely used in industrial and building operations, and their performance has a significant impact on energy use and system reliability. Professionals working with these systems need practical skills to understand how they operate, identify inefficiencies, and improve performance.
This course provides an introduction to the key principles behind pumps, fans, and motors, with a focus on energy efficiency and system optimisation.
Participants will learn how to apply affinity laws, understand system interactions, and explore energy-saving approaches such as the use of variable frequency drives (VFDs). The course also introduces measurement and verification techniques, basic instrumentation, and the fundamentals of conducting simple energy audits for motor-driven systems.
Hands-on sessions in SIT’s Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC) lab allow participants to work with real equipment, take system measurements, and examine common performance issues such as cavitation, system losses, and power-related problems.
Skills you’ll gain
Electrical Engineering
Electronics Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Energy Efficiency
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Who Should Attend
- Energy & Sustainability Auditors
- Singapore Certified Energy Manager (SCEM)
- Facility and Plant Managers
- Operation and Maintenance Engineers
- Technical and Application Engineers for Fans, Pumps and Motor-Driven Systems
- Professional Engineers
Prerequisites
Bachelor Degree in Engineering or Engineering diploma with 2 years of relevant working experience
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate and select motor types and drives based on system requirements.
- Design and execute measurement and verification plans for pump and fan systems.
- Apply VFD control principles for energy-efficient operation.
- Diagnose performance issues like cavitation, excessive losses, or power quality problems.
- Conduct and report a basic energy audit of motor-driven systems.
Teaching Team
Er. Dr. Lock Kai Sang
Professor, Engineering, Singapore Institute of Technology
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Dr. Li Chuanzhao
Associate Professor/Prog Leader, Food, Chemical and Biotechnology, Singapore Institute of Technology
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Course Details
| Course Run | Dates | Time |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | 20 - 24 Jul 2026 | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm |
-
Day 1
sCHEDULE Topic Day 1 Fundamentals of Motors and Driven Systems
- Overview of motor-driven systems (pumps, fans, compressors)
- Types of electric motors and performance characteristics
- Motor selection criteria (torque, efficiency, load profile, duty cycle)
- Motor starting methods, loading, and performance curves
- Electrical and mechanical considerations for motor applications
-
Day 2
sCHEDULE Topic Day 2 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and Energy Efficiency
- Principles of VFD operation and control (PWM, frequency, voltage)
- Motor-VFD compatibility and application considerations
- Power quality, harmonics, and mitigation
- Energy-saving opportunities
-
Day 3
sCHEDULE Topic Day 3 System-Level Performance and Optimization
- System curve vs. pump/fan curve interaction
- Affinity laws and system scaling
- Control strategies: valve throttling vs. variable speed
- Piping and ductwork system losses (major/minor losses)
- Measurement and verification (M&V) planning for audits
-
Day 4
sCHEDULE Topic Day 4 Practical Workshop: Pumps and Piping Systems
- Setup and operate a pump test rig
- Measure head, flow, and efficiency under varying loads
- Demonstrate cavitation and its mitigation
- Compare valve control vs. variable speed operation
- Evaluate friction and minor losses using different fittings
- Conduct mini pump system energy audit
-
Day 5
sCHEDULE Topic Day 5 Practical Workshop: Fans and Air Systems
- Operate fan test bench with flow and pressure sensors
- Demonstrate effects of speed, pressure, and control on power drawn
- Compare VFD/EC fan vs. conventional fan performance
- Demonstrate energy-saving strategies: valve/flow control, variable speed
control, network loss reduction - Prepare a short energy audit report for a fan system
Certificate and Assessment
A Certificate of Attainment will be issued to participants who
- Attend at least 75% of the module; and
- Undertake and pass credit-bearing assessment during the module.
Assessment Plan
Assessment Type: Project
Fee Structure
The full fee for this course is S$5,450.00.
| Funding Category | Eligible Funding | Course Fees Payable After Funding |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen (Below 40) | 70% | S$1,635.00 |
| Singapore Citizen (Above 40) Funded under SkillsFuture Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES) | 90% | S$635.00 |
| Singapore PR / LTVP+ Holder | 70% | S$1,635.00 |
| Non-Singapore Citizen | Not Eligible | S$5,450.00 |
Note:
- All fees above include GST. GST applies to individuals and Singapore-registered companies.
For Organisations
Interested in this course for your business or team?
Tailored to your organisation's specific training needs, we can help you design and develop custom courses to grow key talent and build specialist expertise to meet the future demands of work.
Course Runs
Learning Pathway
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