Highly efficient variable frequency and heavy-duty asynchronous AC motors compliant with domestic and international safety standards.
Melbourne stands as one of Australia’s principal economic engines, housing complex manufacturing zones across Altona, Dandenong, and the Port of Melbourne. These industrial hubs process petrochemicals, agricultural powders, chemicals, and municipal wastewater. Operating in these environments demands strict adherence to safety protocols where flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dusts are present.
For operations serving Victoria, implementing explosion-proof AC low-voltage motors is not merely a performance choice—it is a critical safety and compliance mandate. Under Australia’s national safety frameworks (including the AS/NZS 60079 standards series), equipment deployed in Zone 1, Zone 2 (Gas environments), or Zone 21 and 22 (Dust environments) must carry verifiable certifications. Standard off-the-shelf electric motors pose risk of thermal or electrical spark ignition; hence, flameproof (Ex d), increased safety (Ex e), or dust-ignition protected (Ex tb) motor designs are mandatory.
As a dedicated distributor of Wolong Electric Drive Group, Shaanxi Nanfang Motor Technology Co., Ltd. provides Australian procurement specialists, system integrators, and plant engineers with globally certified low-voltage motors that match Melbourne’s exact environmental conditions—from marine coastal salinity to extreme Australian outback heat.
Explore AS/NZS Compliant Solutions
Shaanxi Nanfang Motor Technology Co., Ltd. is the authorized distributor of Wolong, a global drive systems manufacturer. Founded in 1984 and listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SH600580) in 2002, Wolong Electric Drive Group has established a robust international footprint. By merging historic engineering brands with advanced manufacturing facilities, Wolong delivers highly dependable low-voltage, medium-voltage, and high-voltage motor solutions to customers globally.
With 39 factories, 3 global manufacturing bases, and 3 state-of-the-art R&D centres in China, Europe, and Japan, Wolong leverages advanced design platforms to build motors that operate reliably in demanding environments. Our supply capabilities ensure that Melbourne operators receive field-proven equipment backed by local technical support and global quality guarantees.
By acquiring and integrating the world's most prestigious motor manufacturers, Wolong has combined classic engineering heritage with modern, cost-efficient production scales.
Acquired in 2011, the ATB Group is one of Europe's top three motor manufacturers. Known for high-specification engineering, ATB includes specialized sub-brands such as Morley (synonymous with rugged underground mining motors for over 130 years) and Laurence Scott (renowned for custom low-starting-current marine, naval, and nuclear cooling applications).
A century-old pioneer in electric motor technology and design, Brook Crompton is highly regarded across Commonwealth markets, including Australia. Their premium "W" and "10" series low-voltage and medium-voltage motors deliver exceptional energy efficiency and reliability in harsh, hazard-prone process industries.
Established in 1882, Schorch sets high standards for heavy-duty industrial drive systems. Widely specified in global oil and gas, petrochemical, and municipal water management projects, Schorch motors are built to withstand severe environmental stress.
In 2015, China's largest explosion-proof research and production entity, Nanyang Explosion-Proof Group (CNE), joined Wolong. In 2018, Wolong entered a strategic partnership acquiring General Electric’s (GE) industrial motor division, integrating advanced design methodologies for heavy industrial drive applications.
Our AC Low Voltage Explosion-Proof Motors are designed using state-of-the-art multi-physics simulation platforms to ensure stability and safety under load.
Our stator coils utilize premium polyester film and glass-reinforced high-mica content tapes. Following winding, the entire stator core assembly undergoes a precise Vacuum Pressure Impregnation (VPI) cycle using specialized thermosetting resins. This process eliminates microscopic air pockets, ensuring high moisture resistance, dielectric strength, and thermal dissipation.
Our rotors feature dynamic balancing and robust construction. Medium-to-large motors use copper bar configurations with secure end-ring welding, while smaller units feature high-pressure die-cast aluminum squirrel cage structures. This balancing minimizes shaft vibration, extending bearing life and ensuring smooth operation when paired with variable speed drives (VSD).
Constructed from high-tensile grey cast iron or fabricated steel, our motor frames are engineered using finite element analysis (FEA) to manage mechanical stress. The frame structure provides high flamepath gap tolerances and excellent heat dissipation, keeping internal winding temperatures low even in continuous S1 duty cycles.
Equipped with an optimized air guide cylinder, anti-static non-sparking fans, and silencer plates, our low-noise ventilation system minimizes windage loss. Rated up to IP22/IP55 for safety, the aerodynamic shroud maximizes cooling airflow across the external frame ribbing while keeping operating noise below regulatory limits.
To operate legally and safely in Melbourne’s industrial facilities, drive systems must comply with local statutory frameworks. Our products carry extensive international and domestic certifications.
Under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act in Australia, low-voltage electric motors must comply with mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). Wolong low-voltage motors are certified to meet or exceed IE3 (Premium Efficiency), IE4 (Super Premium Efficiency), and IE5 (Ultra Premium Efficiency) criteria. This ensures compliance with Victorian environmental mandates while helping reduce operating costs.
Additionally, our acquisition of TestSafe qualifications (one of the largest certification channels in the Southern Hemisphere) streamlines ANZEx conformity assessment. This simplifies the engineering approval process for municipal operators, petroleum facilities, and mining projects throughout Victoria.
Providing reliable drive systems configured for Victoria's primary industrial sectors.
Engineered for hazardous vapor zones (Zone 1/2). Our Ex d flameproof low-voltage motors drive pumps, agitators, and cooling fans in petrochemical processing areas like Altona.
For locations with high dust explosion risks (Zone 21/22). These dust-ignition-proof motors (Ex tb/tc) are designed for grain silos, conveyors, and elevators at the Port of Melbourne.
Heavy-duty flameproof drives designed for underground civil works, tunnel boring machines (TBMs), ventilation systems, and drainage pumps in municipal projects.
To support Victoria’s Net Zero targets, industrial facilities are optimizing energy use. Wolong is leading this shift by developing permanent magnet (PM) motor technologies that achieve IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency limits, particularly under partial load conditions.
Additionally, modern plants are adopting predictive maintenance strategies. Our explosion-proof AC motors can be integrated with hazardous-area certified wireless vibration and temperature sensors (smart sensors). This enables maintenance teams to monitor motor health remotely, identify bearing wear or stator heat buildup early, and schedule service during planned shutdowns.
Pairing these motors with variable speed drives (VSD) using active front-end technology minimizes line harmonics and maximizes efficiency, helping lower operating costs for local plants.
Direct answers to common technical and regulatory questions regarding explosion-proof motors in Australia.
Ex d (Flameproof) frames are designed to contain an internal explosion without propagating it to the surrounding atmosphere. Ex e (Increased Safety) designs focus on preventing arcs, sparks, or hot surfaces during operation. Ex nA (Non-sparking) motors are suitable for Zone 2, ensuring they will not ignite surrounding gases under normal working conditions.
All low-voltage asynchronous and synchronous AC motors imported into Australia must comply with the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act. Our product lines are certified to IE3 and IE4 standards, meeting all local Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
Under AS/NZS 60079 compliance regulations, IECEx certified equipment is generally accepted by local regulators. However, specific sites may require ANZEx registration or local certification verification. Our team assists in verifying local compliance pathways.
When powered by a VSD, motors experience higher voltage spikes (dv/dt) and localized rotor heating. Our variable frequency explosion-proof motors (such as the WEBP3 and YBBP series) feature insulated bearings or shaft grounding rings, reinforced winding insulation, and thermistors to prevent thermal overload.
For grain storage, flour mills, or bulk terminals, a dust ignition protected motor (Ex tb or Ex tc, Zone 21 or Zone 22) is required. These motors feature tight ingress protection (IP65 or IP66) to prevent dust from entering the housing and limit maximum surface temperatures to prevent ignition.
Standard configurations can be supplied from regional distribution stock, while custom-engineered builds (such as non-standard shafts, special mountings, or marine-grade paints) are manufactured to order. We coordinate delivery directly to your Melbourne facility.
A comprehensive range of specialized motors engineered for extreme mining, underground tunneling, and process industries in Melbourne.
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