Engineered for hazardous petrochemical, mining, and power generation environments with global certifications.
Safety engineering and high-efficiency operations in hazardous atmospheres.
Explosion-proof motors, often referred to in industrial settings as explosion-proof engines, are highly specialized rotating electrical machines designed to operate safely in environments filled with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustible dust, and flammable gases. Unlike standard industrial motors, these machines must structurally contain any internal electrical spark or explosion and prevent it from propagating into the surrounding explosive atmosphere.
As a premier global authority, Shaanxi Nanfang Motor Technology Co., Ltd stands as the authorized distributor of the industry giant—Wolong Electric Drive Group Co., Ltd. Founded in 1984 and listed in 2002 (SH600580), Wolong has expanded its footprint through targeted global acquisitions, integrating historic Western motor brands such as ATB, Brook Crompton, Morley, Laurence Scott, Schorch, GE, and OLI. Today, the corporation coordinates 3 main manufacturing bases, 39 manufacturing factories, and 3 high-tier R&D centers across the globe.
This extensive synergy allows us to deliver high-quality, high-voltage, and low-voltage flameproof engines matching international safety regulations including ATEX, IECEx, CSA, UL, EAC, and SABS.
Tracing the evolution of modern explosion-proof electrical systems.
In 2011, Wolong acquired 97.94% of the Austrian ATB Group, positioning itself as a major controller of European motor technology. The ATB Group features prestigious historical sub-brands including Morley and Laurence Scott.
Morley Motors: Boasting nearly 130 years of operational experience, Morley is the benchmark for underground coal mining equipment, serving the global mining market with heavy-duty flameproof mine motors.
Laurence Scott: Renowned for manufacturing low starting current motors, Laurence Scott famously pioneered naval generators and supplied high-performance electrical engines to British nuclear power plants.
Established in 1882 in Germany, Schorch joined the Wolong Group in 2011. Known as a world-class manufacturer of heavy industrial drives, Schorch engines operate in international projects spanning oil & gas, chemicals, water treatment, shipbuilding, and tunnel ventilation.
In 2015, Wolong consolidated China's domestic capacity by integrating Nanyang Explosion-proof Group Co., Ltd (CNE). As China's premier explosion-proof research and manufacturing base, CNE provides extensive low-voltage and high-voltage Ex motors utilized extensively in national military, nuclear power, and petrochemical structures.
In 2018, General Electric's commercial and industrial motor division partnered with Wolong. GE's century-old legacy in processing, steel manufacturing, cement, and power generation provides Wolong with unmatched mechanical reliability designs for heavy-duty applications.
Additionally, Brook Crompton Motors joined the Wolong Group, bringing over 100 years of experience in efficiency optimization. They supply the premium Brook Crompton "W" and "10" series designed specifically for hazardous, harsh industrial environments.
In the mechanical vibration field, Wolong collaborated with OLI in 1999, creating the largest domestic production and sales base for MVE vibration motors and Ex vibration sensors globally.
Inside the engineering that guarantees safety in Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21, and Zone 22 environments.
The motor winding insulation is the core of its electrical reliability. Wolong utilizes high-content polyester film combined with glass cloth-backed mica tapes. The entire assembly undergoes the Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI) process.
The resulting VPI-treated coil provides structural humidity resistance, mechanical stability, high dielectric strength, and thermal sustainability, meeting or exceeding Class H insulation requirements.
Rotors feature robust squirrel cage configurations. For low-voltage standard units, advanced centrifugal aluminum casting or high-pressure die-casting processes integrate the rotor bars and end rings into a solid single-piece structure.
For high-capacity, high-voltage motors, pure copper bar rotors are utilized. Every copper bar is mechanically secured and welded to the end rings, featuring high-speed balancing rings that prevent failure at elevated rotational speeds.
The motor frames are developed using digital design platforms executing structural and fluid multi-physics simulation. Cast from high-strength gray cast iron (or structural steel for customized larger frames), they provide excellent thermal dissipation, mechanical impact dampening, and vibration isolation margins.
The low-noise ventilation system integrates an aerodynamic fan cover, air guide cylinders, protective mesh windows, and structural silencer plates. The side-inlet system prevents blockage from adjacent structural elements.
It incorporates sound-dampening acoustic materials inside the hood, lowering sound levels while maintaining IP22 protection to prevent accidental contact with the rotating fan blades.
Unlocking global market accessibility with accredited regulatory compliance certifications.
ATEX
IECEx
CE
CSA
NEMA / UL
TESTSAFE
Wolong operates under rigorous ISO 9001 certified quality control systems. To ensure compatibility with North American systems, low-voltage and medium-voltage motors undergo NEMA performance testing. This includes starting torque verification, structural load testing, temperature rise curves, noise evaluations, and certification under UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association).
For hazardous installations, Wolong motors comply with ATEX and IECEx flameproof standards, allowing seamless integration in European and global chemical plants. Furthermore, Wolong acquired the Australian TESTSAFE certification, permitting heavy coal mining machines and conveyor systems to access Australian and Oceanic deep mining projects directly.
Deploying reliable drive technology across critical global infrastructure.
High-efficiency YE5, YBX4, and YBX5 explosion-proof engines power refinery extraction pumps, gas compressors, and product pipelines where flammable organic gas mixtures are constantly present.
Leveraging Morley flameproof designs and YBSS conveyor motors, we deliver high-torque, explosion-resistant engines for underground longwall shearers, coal crushers, and bulk conveyor installations.
Utilizing Laurence Scott low-starting-current solutions and Schorch systems to drive high-capacity cooling pumps, water treatment plants, and auxiliary generators under safety-critical protocols.
The transition toward smart, super-efficient explosion-proof drive systems.
Energy conservation is driving a transition from standard IE3 induction motors toward IE4 and IE5 standards. Wolong's permanent magnet explosion-proof motors utilize rare earth NdFeB magnets, significantly reducing rotor losses and lowering operating temperatures inside hazardous chemical plants.
Modern petrochemical plants utilize smart vibration, temperature, and current frequency sensors mounted directly on Ex-proof enclosures. Utilizing wireless industrial protocols (such as WirelessHART or ZigBee), these sensors feed operational data back to central control systems, enabling predictive maintenance.
Utilizing speed-regulation motors such as the YBBP water-cooled and WEBP3 low-voltage series, modern plants adjust motor speed dynamically. Standard induction motors run hot when operated at low speeds on VFDs; Wolong's optimized insulation systems and independent cooling systems protect the stator winding from high-voltage spikes and thermal overload.
Understanding explosion-proof motor selection, application, and safety certifications.
A: An Ex d (Flameproof) motor is designed to withstand internal explosions without deformation, ensuring that any flame path cools escaping hot gases below the ignition temperature of the surrounding atmosphere. Conversely, an Ex e (Increased Safety) motor focuses on preventing any arcs, sparks, or dangerous hot spots from occurring on internal or external components under normal and specified overload conditions, making it suitable for less volatile zones.
A: Standard induction motors can draw up to 6–8 times their rated current during startup. On remote platforms or weaker electrical grids, this drop in voltage can disrupt neighboring equipment. Laurence Scott technology reduces startup currents to 3–4.5 times the rated current through advanced rotor bar geometries, ensuring grid stability.
A: Vacuum Pressure Impregnation removes air pockets and moisture from the stator winding insulation. Resins are forced deep into the mica tapes under pressure, creating a void-free, chemically resilient, and mechanically solid block. This prevents degradation from moisture, saline environments, and vibration.
A: TESTSAFE is Australia's primary testing facility for explosive atmospheres, especially under the strict safety regulations of Australian coal mines. Having TESTSAFE certified motors allows manufacturers to export coal mining machinery directly to Australia and New Zealand, ensuring compliance with local mining safety standards.
Select from our complete range of low-voltage, high-efficiency, and compact explosion-proof electric motors.
NANFANG
