Explosion-Proof Motors
Asynchronous motors built for atmospheres where a surface temperature or an internal arc would be an ignition source. Supplied with flameproof, increased-safety and dust-protected constructions.
- Rated power
- 0.55 – 400 kW
- Voltage
- 380 – 6 600 V
- Poles
- 2 – 12
- Frame sizes
- 80 – 630
- Protection
- IP54 – IP66
- Zones
- 1, 2, 21, 22, Group I
Explosion-proof machines are not general-purpose motors with a different label. The enclosure, the flame paths, the terminal box, the bearing arrangement and the temperature-rise margin are all dimensioned against the certificate, not against the mechanical rating.
Every unit is supplied against a specific equipment marking. The marking on the nameplate — not the catalogue description — determines where the machine may legally be installed, and the responsible engineer at the installation is the party who confirms the match.
Frame sizes from 80 to 630 are available in flameproof (Ex db) and increased-safety (Ex e) constructions, with dust-protected (Ex tb) variants for Zone 21 and 22.
Key characteristics
Certification traceable to the unit
Each machine ships with its certificate number, issuing body and permitted zone stated on the nameplate and in the documentation pack.
Temperature-class margin held under fault
Surface temperature is verified at rated load and under stall conditions, not only at the design point.
Serviceable flame paths
Joint geometry is documented so a certified repair shop can restore the machine without invalidating the certificate.
Terminal boxes rated separately
Increased-safety terminal boxes are available on flameproof machines where cable-gland access is restricted.
Construction
- Cast-iron frame with machined flame paths on all shaft and cover joints
- Class F insulation used to Class B temperature rise, leaving thermal margin
- PTC or Pt100 thermal protection embedded in every winding phase
- Non-sparking fan and fan cowl in conductive, antistatic material
- Bearing insulation on the non-drive end for VFD-supplied machines
- Certified cable entries with plugged spares
Available configurations
- Flameproof Ex db — Zone 1 and Zone 2
- Increased safety Ex e — Zone 1 and Zone 2
- Non-sparking Ex ec — Zone 2 only
- Dust protection Ex tb — Zone 21 and Zone 22
- Group I construction for underground mining
- Anti-condensation heaters, forced ventilation, encoder mounting
Monitoring options
- Winding temperature — PTC thermistor or Pt100 per phase
- Bearing temperature — Pt100, drive and non-drive end
- Vibration — provision for accelerometer mounting pads
- Anti-condensation heater status contact
3 series, 13 models
A series shares one design; the variants below differ by frame size and rating. This table is generated from the series definition — the variant list is never maintained by hand.
VA-Ex — flameproof series
Flameproof (Ex db) three-phase asynchronous motors for Zone 1 and Zone 2 gas atmospheres, IIB and IIC groups.
Offered against: VAO-2 · AIMM · 4VR · ABB M3JP (Ex db) — replacement finder
| Frame | Rated powerkW | Rated voltageV | Rated speedrpm | Number of poles | Ex marking | Type of protection | Masskg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 132M | 7.5 | 400 | 1455 | 4 | II 2G Ex db IIB T4 Gb | Ex db (flameproof) | 78 | Details → |
| 160M | 15 | 400 | 1465 | 4 | II 2G Ex db IIB T4 Gb | Ex db (flameproof) | 135 | Details → |
| 200L | 30 | 400 | 1470 | 4 | II 2G Ex db IIC T4 Gb | Ex db (flameproof) | 265 | Details → |
| 250M | 55 | 400 | 1478 | 4 | II 2G Ex db IIC T4 Gb | Ex db (flameproof) | 420 | Details → |
| 315L | 132 | 690 | 1485 | 4 | II 2G Ex db IIB T3 Gb | Ex db (flameproof) | 980 | Details → |
| 400L | 315 | 6000 | 990 | 6 | II 2G Ex db IIB T3 Gb | Ex db (flameproof) | 2450 | Details → |
VE-Ex — increased-safety series
Increased-safety (Ex e) motors for Zone 1 and Zone 2 where a lighter, non-flameproof construction is acceptable.
Offered against: AIU-Ex · 4A-E — replacement finder
| Frame | Rated powerkW | Rated voltageV | Rated speedrpm | Number of poles | Ex marking | Type of protection | Masskg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 112M | 4 | 400 | 1445 | 4 | II 2G Ex e IIB T3 Gb | Ex e (increased safety) | 47 | Details → |
| 160L | 18.5 | 400 | 1468 | 4 | II 2G Ex e IIB T3 Gb | Ex e (increased safety) | 148 | Details → |
| 225M | 45 | 400 | 1475 | 4 | II 2G Ex e IIB T3 Gb | Ex e (increased safety) | 330 | Details → |
| 280S | 90 | 690 | 985 | 6 | II 2G Ex e IIB T3 Gb | Ex e (increased safety) | 690 | Details → |
VM-I — mining series (Group I)
Group I flameproof motors for underground coal mining, EPL Mb, with reinforced enclosure and methane-rated flame paths.
Offered against: VRP · EDKOF · VAO-M — replacement finder
Principal applications
- PumpsCentrifugal, screw, piston and vertical turbine pumps
- Fans and VentilationCentrifugal and axial fans, mine main and booster fans
- CompressorsReciprocating, screw and centrifugal compressors
- ConveyorsBelt, apron, screw and chain conveyors
- Mills and CrushersBall, SAG and rod mills, jaw, cone and impact crushers
Suitable industries
Documentation for this family
PDFs supplement the pages above. Nothing here is required to establish whether a machine is a candidate.
- Download (mock)CatalogueExplosion-Proof Motors — Product CataloguePDF · 8.4 MB · Rev. 04 · updated 2026-03 · EN, RO
- Download (mock)Data sheetVA-Ex Series — Data SheetPDF · 1.1 MB · Rev. 03 · updated 2026-04 · EN
- Download (mock)CertificateATEX Type Examination Certificate — VA-ExPDF · 2.1 MB · Issue 3 · updated 2026-03 · EN
- Download (mock)DrawingVA-Ex — Dimensional Drawings (frames 132–400)RegistrationPDF + DWG · 14.6 MB · Rev. 03 · updated 2026-04 · EN
- Download (mock)QuestionnaireTechnical Questionnaire — Electric MotorsPDF / online form · 0.3 MB · Rev. 02 · updated 2026-06 · EN, RO
- Download (mock)Data sheetVE-Ex Series — Data SheetPDF · 0.9 MB · Rev. 02 · updated 2026-01 · EN
- Download (mock)CertificateIECEx Certificate of Conformity — VE-ExPDF · 1.9 MB · Issue 2 · updated 2025-11 · EN
- Download (mock)CertificateGroup I Mining Certificate — VM-IPDF · 1.7 MB · Issue 1 · updated 2025-06 · EN
- Download (mock)DrawingVM-I Mining Series — Dimensional DrawingsRegistrationPDF + DWG · 9.2 MB · Rev. 01 · updated 2025-08 · EN
Installations using this family
Ready to specify?
The enquiry form asks only the questions that apply to explosion-proof motors — including the hazardous-area section where it is relevant.