Engineered to drive heavy-duty industrial AC compressors, ventilation units, and cooling pumps in harsh hazardous zones.
In modern petrochemical processing, coal mining, marine engineering, and grain processing environments, the control of atmospheric temperatures and volatile gases is vital. Operating standard HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems in these locations poses severe risks. Standard electric motors and climate units can produce sparks during switching, thermal overloads, or stator malfunctions, potentially triggering catastrophic explosions in environments containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane, or combustible dusts. Consequently, high-quality explosion-proof AC and drive systems are essential, serving as a critical safety barrier rather than a mere utility.
As a global leader in explosion-proof motor manufacturing and distribution, Shaanxi Nanfang Motor Technology Co., Ltd. (the authorized distributor of Wolong Electric Drive Group) delivers reliable, robust engineering designed for extreme conditions. By utilizing advanced aerodynamic profiles, flameproof enclosures, and robust stator insulation, our explosion-proof motor systems power the cooling compressors and air circulation fans that sustain hazardous area HVAC networks globally.
A globally integrated infrastructure driving motor and control technology innovation.
Founded in 1984 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2002 (code: SH600580), Wolong Electric Drive Group Co., Ltd. has spent over three decades establishing a robust global manufacturing footprint. Wolong operates 3 R&D centers, 39 advanced manufacturing hubs, and 3 global production bases. This extensive infrastructure enables Wolong to supply explosion-proof motor systems that meet rigorous industrial standards.
In 2011, Wolong acquired a 97.94% stake in the Austrian ATB Group, positioning the company among the leading European motor manufacturers. The ATB acquisition brought key industrial brands into the fold, including Morley—a brand with a 130-year legacy in underground coal mining equipment—and Laurence Scott, renowned for low-starting-current motors used in British nuclear power stations and naval vessels.
Subsequent additions of Brook Crompton Motors (specializing in energy-efficient low, medium, and high-voltage motors) and Schorch Electric Motor (established in 1882, focused on oil, gas, and heavy industry) strengthened Wolong's technological capabilities. Through partnerships with OLI for vibration motors and the 2015 merger with Nanyang Explosion-proof Group (CNE)—China's largest manufacturer of flameproof electrical machinery—Wolong consolidated its technical expertise. This was further enhanced in 2018 by the acquisition of General Electric's (GE) commercial and industrial motor division.
Exporting machinery into explosive atmospheres requires strict compliance with regional and international directives. Wolong's explosion-proof motor products undergo certification testing to meet the regulatory requirements of different jurisdictions:
Nemko / ATEX
CSA (North America)
CE Conformity
CCC (China)
SABS (South Africa)
TESTSAFE
Certified for Zones 1, 2 (Gases) and Zones 21, 22 (Combustible Dusts), our motors use flameproof (Ex d / Ex db), increased safety (Ex e / Ex eb), and non-sparking (Ex nA / Ex ec) protection topologies. This enables safe installation within industrial refineries and offshore gas platforms worldwide.
For the North American market, our systems are certified to NEMA MG-1 standards, carrying UL and CSA stamps for Class I, Division 1 and Division 2 installations. These motors feature robust cast iron bodies and precise electrical tolerances.
Every manufacturing step is monitored under strict ISO 9001 quality management guidelines. This structure ensures traceability from raw silicon steel laminations and enameled copper wire to the finished, dynamically balanced rotor assembly.
Acquiring the TESTSAFE certification (the key regulatory agency in the Southern Hemisphere) provides a path for our explosion-proof mine equipment and ventilation motors to enter Australian and regional markets, supporting deep underground coal extraction safety.
A detailed look at the mechanical engineering and thermal isolation components that prevent combustion in hazardous environments.
Our rotors feature a robust squirrel-cage design using high-purity aluminum centrifugally cast or die-cast into the rotor core slots. This forms a single-piece component that integrates the rotor bars and end rings, ensuring structural integrity and consistent torque. For high-output applications, copper bar rotors are used, secured with end ring welding and protection rings to maintain structural stability at high operating speeds.
The stator coil is insulated with polyester film and reinforced with glass cloth. We utilize premium low-powder or medium-powdered mica tape with high mica content. The complete assembly undergoes a high-vacuum pressure impregnation (VPI) process. This creates a solid insulation barrier that offers high electrical resistance, mechanical strength, moisture protection, and thermal stability under continuous operation.
The motor frames are designed using structural and fluid dynamics multi-physics simulations to optimize cooling and structural strength. Cast from high-tensile gray cast iron or fabricated from structural steel, the frame provides mechanical protection, heat dissipation, and vibration damping. This helps isolate harmonic frequencies, reducing mechanical wear and keeping operating temperatures low.
Our cooling fan cover system includes an integrated air guide cylinder, protection window, and silencer plates. The side-entry air inlet layout helps bypass obstacles behind the motor, optimizing airflow and reducing noise from air turbulence. Built-in acoustic damping materials absorb high-frequency sounds, while the IP22 enclosure prevents accidental contact with the rotating blades.
Driving the future of explosion-proof systems through smart engineering, IoT connectivity, and higher efficiency standards.
Transitioning from IE3/IE4 asynchronous models to IE5 permanent magnet synchronous designs (like the WEPM series), yielding up to a 10% reduction in energy loss, which significantly minimizes heat generation in hazardous zones.
Integrating non-sparking, intrinsically safe vibration and temperature sensors into the frame to transmit real-time telemetry, allowing operators to predict stator or bearing failures before they occur.
Co-developing hermetic variable frequency scroll and screw compressor-drive packages that utilize zero-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants, aligning safety compliance with environmental goals.
Customized drive and cooling solutions for challenging industrial environments.
Providing corrosion-resistant explosion-proof motors (YBX5 and WEBP3 series) to drive air-cooled heat exchangers, refining compressors, and chemical injection pumps in onshore and offshore petrochemical plants.
Explosion-proof mine motors, including the YBK3 and YBS conveyor motor series, are built to withstand coal dust and methane-rich environments, providing reliable mechanical power for shearers, conveyors, and main ventilation systems.
Specifically insulated motors with salt-spray resistant paints and anti-condensation heating elements, designed to power ventilation, cooling, and water treatment systems on offshore platforms and marine vessels.
Building on the heritage of Laurence Scott, we supply customized high-reliability motors with low starting current demands for power generation plants and high-safety environments.
Supplying variable frequency, explosion-proof motors (such as the YBBP and WEBP3 series) designed to drive large cooling compressors and commercial HVAC fan packages in hazardous manufacturing locations.
Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies and vertically integrated supply chains to deliver reliable lead times.
Wolong's production facilities utilize automated casting, winding, and VPI processes alongside digital simulation models to maintain consistent quality across all motor lines. Automated assembly stations reduce human error, while precision machining ensures exact clearances for flameproof joints.
Our centralized manufacturing base handles raw material processing, copper drawing, lamination pressing, stator winding, rotor balancing, and final pressure testing in-house. This vertical integration reduces dependency on external suppliers, allowing us to manage lead times effectively and offer competitive pricing without compromising quality.
Assisting EPC contractors, engineers, and supply chain managers throughout the lifecycle of international projects.
Our application engineering team assists with motor selection, dimensional envelope matching, starting characteristics calculations, and certification alignment to meet your specific project requirements.
We provide full engineering documentation packages, including type-test reports, flameproof path dimensional certificates, custom paint specifications, and dynamic balancing reports to support project validation.
Through Shaanxi Nanfang Motor and Wolong's international distribution channels, we handle sea, air, and rail logistics. We offer regional support through local service stations and technical offices across 58 countries.
Answering common technical questions regarding selection, certificates, and safety maintenance.
A: ATEX is a European union directive mandatory for all equipment installed in hazardous locations within the EU. IECEx is a voluntary, internationally accepted certification scheme designed to harmonize safety standards globally. Wolong's explosion-proof motors hold both ATEX and IECEx certificates, allowing them to be deployed in EU member states as well as other international markets accepting IEC standards.
A: Yes, specific series like the YBBP and WEBP3 are designed for variable frequency operation. They feature reinforced insulation, optimized winding configurations, and optional isolated bearings to prevent electrical discharge erosion. These designs allow the motors to maintain torque and control speed safely under variable loads.
A: VPI removes moisture, air, and voids from the stator windings, replacing them with high-temperature epoxy resins. This process enhances the motor's mechanical strength, moisture resistance, heat dissipation, and dielectric strength, preventing internal electrical shorts that could cause sparks or component failures.
A: We achieve this by optimizing the internal magnetic circuit using high-grade silicon steel laminations and high-density stator copper windings. Our YE4 and YE5 series meet IE4 and IE5 efficiency standards while keeping external frame temperatures within the limits required by their respective temperature class ratings (e.g., T4, T5, or T6).
High-voltage, non-sparking, and permanent magnet motors for specialized industrial operations.
NANFANG
