Deploying advanced IECEx & ATEX-certified high voltage systems matching the rigorous standards of Ireland's safety authorities.
An in-depth analysis of Ireland's industrial landscape, safety compliances, and the engineering necessity of custom explosion-proof motors.
Ireland has transitioned into one of the world's most sophisticated hubs for biopharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, gas terminal distribution, and sustainable maritime energy. From the massive pharmaceutical clusters in Cork (Ringaskiddy) and Dublin (Grange Castle) to offshore gas infrastructure projects such as the Corrib Gas Field and major marine ports, hazardous industrial zones require uncompromising safety standards. Chemical processes involving volatile organic compounds (VOCs), flammable solvents, and combustible dust demand industrial motors that can guarantee ignition prevention.
Under the Irish Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the strict transposition of the European ATEX Directives (specifically Directive 2014/34/EU and Directive 1999/92/EC), any high-voltage electrical equipment installed in Zone 1, Zone 21, Zone 2, or Zone 22 hazardous zones must possess certified protection ratings. Standard industrial motors cannot mitigate the danger of explosive atmospheres caused by gas mixtures or combustible dusts. Consequently, heavy industries across Ireland rely on specialized AC High Voltage Explosion-Proof Motors to power essential pumps, compressors, fans, and mixers.
High voltage infrastructure in Irish manufacturing plants operates primarily on 3.3kV, 6.6kV, or 10kV networks. High voltage motors are essential because they reduce line currents, minimize electrical losses across long cable runs, and provide massive mechanical torque for heavy-duty process machinery. However, deploying high voltage drives in explosive areas requires a multi-faceted design focus: maintaining insulation integrity under variable voltage stresses while containing hot sparks or thermal energy internally.
Moreover, as Ireland accelerates its transition toward green energy grid stabilization under EirGrid’s DS3 Program, the deployment of grid stabilizers like Distributed Synchronous Condensers becomes highly crucial. These systems provide the necessary inertia and reactive power management to keep industrial operations online, preventing voltage sags in major manufacturing facilities across Ireland.
Explosion-proof motors ensure solvents and active organic chemicals do not combust in Dublin and Cork bio-reactors and extraction labs.
Equipped with C5-M high-salinity anti-corrosion paint and robust flameproof designs to withstand the harsh Atlantic weather conditions.
Integrating synchronous and permanent magnet designs to help Irish factories comply with the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
Shaanxi Nanfang Motor Technology Co., Ltd. is the authorized global distributor of Wolong, an industry leader founded in 1984 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2002 (code SH600580). Over nearly four decades of continuous R&D and strategic global expansion, Wolong has built 3 world-class manufacturing bases, 39 advanced factories, and 3 global R&D centers.
By focusing on motors and control system innovation, Wolong has executed a global brand strategy, positioning itself as a primary driver of R&D, safety technology, and worldwide sales. Through Nanfang Motor Technology, customers in Ireland have access to top-tier high-voltage drive systems that seamlessly merge Wolong's proprietary designs with legendary European engineering heritages acquired over decades.
Discover how Wolong consolidated the world's most trusted motor brands to manufacture high-voltage systems featuring absolute safety and performance.
In 2011, WOLONG acquired 97.94% of the Austrian ATB Group, one of the three major European motor manufacturers. This acquisition integrated a century of heavy industrial design into the Wolong global engineering network. This included Morley Motors, with a 130-year history of constructing flameproof motors for demanding underground coal mining, and Laurence Scott, renowned for manufacturing low-starting-current motors for nuclear power plants and naval defense vessels.
Established in 1882 in Germany, Schorch joined the WOLONG Group, bringing its high-quality standards in drive systems for oil and gas, chemicals, water management, and tunnel ventilation. Along with Schorch, Brook Crompton Motors integrated its century-long experience in energy-efficient low, medium, and high-voltage AC motors (including the premium Brook Crompton 'W' and '10' series), establishing a strong base in efficient drive systems for hazardous environments.
In 2015, WOLONG acquired CNE (China's largest explosion-proof motor research and production base). Nanyang Explosion Group's designs have been key in petroleum, chemical, coal chemistry, metallurgy, electricity, and nuclear power projects. This engineering base is combined with OLI Brand, a world leader in vibration motors (MVE) and explosion-proof vibration sensors, to deliver high-quality vibration systems.
In 2018, GE's commercial and industrial motor division joined WOLONG. The integration of GE's heavy-duty engineering expertise in large-scale oil, gas, chemical, mining, and water treatment motors has further strengthened Wolong's technical capabilities in manufacturing high-efficiency, explosion-proof motors.
Every component is engineered to operate safely in highly explosive gas and dust environments.
The high-voltage stator coils are insulated with polyester film and reinforced glass cloth. They are wrapped with high-mica-content tape to handle electric field stress. After the winding process, the entire stator core undergoes the Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI) process.
This process extracts all air and moisture from the stator and replaces them with solventless resin under pressure. The result is a moisture-resistant insulation system with high dielectric strength and thermal stability, built to prevent partial discharges in explosive gas environments.
The rotor features a squirrel cage design optimized for high starting torque. It uses either centrifugal cast aluminum or die-cast aluminum, combining the rotor bars and end rings into a single structure to improve dynamic balance and performance.
For larger capacities and high-load starts, high-strength copper bar rotors are used. The copper bars are welded to the end rings, and high-speed units feature locking rings to support the rotor structure during operation.
The motor enclosure is designed using a digital platform for structural and fluid dynamics simulations. This helps optimize heat dissipation and vibration isolation.
The frames are made from high-strength cast iron or structural steel. They provide the necessary physical protection to contain internal gas explosions without cracking, preventing the ignition of external explosive atmospheres.
The low-noise ventilation system consists of an aerodynamic fan cover, air guide, protective mesh, and silencer plates. The side air intake design reduces turbulence, lowers noise levels, and helps prevent blockages at the back of the motor.
Constructed with integrated sound-absorbing materials, the system has an IP22 rating. This prevents contact with the moving fan blades while keeping operating temperatures within ATEX limits.
Every motor is certified by international bodies, ensuring safe import and operation within Ireland and the wider EU market.
Nemko / ATEX
CSA Standard
CE Directives
CC Quality Certificate
SABS Standard
Our manufacturing processes are certified to the ISO 9001 standard. This certification ensures quality control, full traceability of explosion-proof components, and consistent manufacturing standards, allowing these systems to bypass trade barriers and be imported into the EU market.
To support multinational operations, our motors can be configured to comply with NEMA standards. Testing includes efficiency verification, insulation resistance testing, starting current measurement, torque evaluation, and sound testing. High-voltage units are certified to meet both UL and CSA safety standards.
Compliance with the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and the global IECEx scheme is mandatory for hazardous zone applications in Ireland. This certification ensures that the motors can operate safely in the presence of explosive vapors, gases, or dust mixtures without danger of ignition.
Through our compliance with the TestSafe standard—the primary coal product certification body in the Southern Hemisphere—these motor designs are certified for mining and heavy industrial exports, meeting safety standards worldwide.
Browse our extensive selection of flameproof, increased safety, positive pressure, and variable frequency motors with verified URLs.
Adapting high-voltage drives to comply with sustainability, energy efficiency, and predictive maintenance standards.
Irish businesses face rising carbon taxes and energy prices, driving demand for high-efficiency motors. Transitioning from standard induction motors to Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) like the WEPM series reduces energy losses, helping facilities lower their overall carbon footprint.
Integrating vibration, temperature, and current sensors directly into explosion-proof enclosures allows operators to monitor motor health in real time. This capability supports predictive maintenance strategies, helping to prevent unscheduled shutdowns in critical manufacturing facilities.
We work closely with plant engineering teams to build custom shaft configurations, varied termination positions, and bespoke cooling schemes (such as air-to-air or water-to-air exchangers). These modifications ensure drop-in compatibility for existing facility upgrades.
Find answers to common questions about industrial standards, hazardous zone ratings, and system selection.
NANFANG
