Engineered to deliver high performance, absolute safety compliance, and maximum operational lifetime in Class I and Class II environments.
Serving as the authorized strategic global distributor of Wolong Electric Drive Group Co., Ltd., Shaanxi Nanfang Motor Technology connects international procurement managers with unmatched industrial powertrain solutions.
Founded in 1984 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2002 (code SH600580), Wolong Electric has evolved into a global powerhouse for electric motor design, manufacture, and control integration. Operating 3 primary manufacturing bases, 39 advanced factories, and 3 global R&D centers, Wolong serves critical heavy industries globally.
By marrying German, British, and Austrian engineering legacies with highly optimized Chinese smart factories, we deliver high-reliability explosion-proof systems. These are meticulously tailored to harsh oil refinery operations, offshore platforms, chemical process plants, and subterranean coal mine tunnels.
Wolong's global reach is strengthened by acquiring and integrating the world's most trusted motor manufacturers.
In 2011, Wolong acquired 97.94% of the Austrian ATB Group, integrating century-old European engineering excellence into its technical core. Under the ATB umbrella, brands like Morley—with 130 years of underground coal mining traction motor legacy—and Laurence Scott—the UK pioneer in nuclear reactor low-starting-current motors—reinforced our technical expertise, delivering extremely robust heavy industrial motor platforms.
A premier participant in the global electric motor market for over 110 years, Brook Crompton stands as a synonym for premium energy efficiency. Under Wolong's wings, Brook Crompton continues to lead in designing low, medium, and high-voltage AC motors—specifically the legendary Brook Crompton "W" and "10" series—for hazardous environments requiring safe adjustable-speed packages.
Established in Germany in 1882, Schorch motors joined Wolong in 2011. Renowned for custom-engineered drive systems, Schorch is a trusted supplier in offshore oil platforms, major petrochemical terminals, power plant feed pumps, and municipal wastewater works. They set global benchmarks for mechanical shock resistance and thermal management.
Wolong’s global alignment includes OLI, the market leader in vibration motors. Crucially, in 2018, General Electric (GE)’s commercial and industrial motor division joined the Wolong lineup. This expansion brought GE's expertise in severe-duty petroleum and chemical motors (NEMA standards) directly into our manufacturing systems, providing global clients with certified NEMA standard explosion-proof motors.
A comprehensive analysis of global regulatory shifts, procurement demands, and Chinese production efficiency advantages.
In modern industrial process engineering, the demand for explosion-proof safety is closely linked with the push for decarbonization and energy efficiency. Under international frameworks like ATEX (Directive 2014/34/EU) and the IECEx system, hazardous environments demand motors that prevent mechanical sparks, hot surfaces, and electrical arcs. Simultaneously, standard EN 60034-30-1 mandates transitioning from IE3 to IE4 (Super Premium) and IE5 (Ultra-Premium) efficiency classes.
This dual requirement presents a significant engineering challenge. Decreasing electrical losses within an explosion-proof frame demands advanced electromagnetic designs. High-efficiency motors run cooler, which directly lowers outer enclosure temperatures—a critical factor for chemical gases with low ignition temperatures (Class T4, T5, and T6). High-grade non-grain-oriented electrical steel and optimized copper slot fill-factors reduce internal windage and core losses, ensuring both regulatory safety and long-term energy savings.
Why do international EPC contractors, oil-and-gas majors, and heavy equipment OEMs look to Chinese manufacturers like Wolong for their explosion-proof motors? The answer lies in our advanced, integrated manufacturing ecosystem. China has consolidated the entire supply chain, from raw material processing to final certification testing.
At Wolong’s production centers, automation is integrated into every step: automatic stator winding, robotic copper coil insertion, precision VPI (Vacuum Pressure Impregnation) encapsulation, and automated dynamic balance testers. By producing crucial components like high-strength gray cast iron frames and copper rotor bars in-house, we eliminate supply chain bottlenecks. This enables us to offer shorter lead times for highly customized runs than European and North American factories, while maintaining consistent build quality.
Different industrial projects present unique structural challenges. A motor designed for an underground coal mine must handle different hazards than one destined for an offshore oil platform:
Procuring explosion-proof motors requires verification of mechanical compatibility and regional regulatory compliance. Key considerations include:
| Requirement Category | Standard Parameters | Engineering Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Explosion Certification | ATEX, IECEx, CSA, EAC Ex, SABS | Ensures local legal compliance and site-safety sign-off. |
| Dimension Standards | IEC (Metric) / NEMA (Imperial) | Critical for retrofits and drop-in replacements. |
| Thermal Class | Class F Winding (Class B Rise), H optional | Extends insulation life in hot ambient conditions. |
| Ingress Protection | IP55, IP56, IP65, IP66 | Prevents liquid jet intrusion and abrasive dust ingress. |
A detailed look at the core design features that keep our motors performing reliably in hazardous environments.
Our rotors feature a rugged squirrel cage design. Cast aluminum rotors are produced using centrifugal or die-casting techniques, ensuring a single-piece construction that integrates the rotor bars and end rings. This design delivers structural integrity and outstanding torque properties. For larger capacity motors, we use copper bar rotors with robust bar securing and end ring welding procedures, preventing thermal stress damage. The protective rings on high-speed models ensure reliable operation across all speed ranges.
The stator coils are wrapped with polyester film and reinforced glass-cloth mica tape. They undergo a Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI) process to ensure void-free insulation. This encapsulation creates high mechanical strength, resistance to moisture, and excellent thermal stability. The system handles the voltage stress of VFD operation, minimizing the risk of winding short-circuits.
Designed using structural and fluid multi-physics simulation platforms, our frames are made from high-tensile cast iron or welded structural steel. The design provides mechanical redundancy, high structural strength, and excellent heat dissipation. It is engineered to absorb shock, reduce vibration, and keep the motor running cool.
The low-noise ventilation system includes a streamlined hood, air guide cylinders, protective screens, and sound-damping plates. By optimizing air flow and using acoustic absorption materials, we reduce noise caused by turbulence. The system carries an IP22 rating, preventing debris or fingers from contacting the fan blade while maintaining optimal air flow.
Wolong motors comply with leading international quality and safety directives.
Nemko / ATEX
CSA Standard
CE Compliance
CCC Ex
SABS South Africa
ISO 9001 Ex Standard compliance: All Wolong plants operate under audited quality control systems, guaranteeing that explosion-proof flamepaths and enclosure clearances are inspected and logged for traceabilty.
IECEx & ATEX Standards: Certified for Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas, facilitating smooth customs clearance and regulatory approval in European Union countries and international markets.
NEMA Standards: Wolong's NEXP series motors comply with UL and CSA standards, meeting the electrical and mechanical requirements of the North American market.
TESTSAFE Certification: Our compliance with Testsafe, the largest coal product safety certification body in the Southern Hemisphere, enables Wolong's mining motors to enter Australia and other global coal mining regions.
Critical engineering and compliance information for procurement managers and project coordinators.
Ex-proof motors designed for deep mining, industrial processes, and high-voltage operations.
NANFANG
