Challenge: Rapid replacement of a failed centrifuge drive
An unexpected failure of a centrifuge drive in the steam dryer process threatened production at a Swedish sugar factory. Downtime in the sugar industry is critical, directly affecting the production chain. The factory urgently required a high-performance replacement motor that would match the existing installation mechanically and electrically.
The vertical mounting orientation made the project particularly challenging: the three-phase motor, rated up to 1,800 kW, needed to be installed vertically with flange down and drive up, designed for inverter operation in the 0–70 Hz range, with IP55 protection and reliable IC616 cooling.
With a weight of over 13 tons and a speed of 743 rpm, standard off-the-shelf solutions were not an option – and there was no time for a complete new build.
MENZEL solution: Stock 8-Pole 690 V motor customized for vertical installation
MENZEL Electric Motors leveraged a key advantage: an extensive stock of modular large motors ready for rapid customization.
A 690 V, 8-pole squirrel-cage motor, originally intended for another application, served as the basis. Within just one week, the motor was mechanically and thermally adapted to its new task:
- Designed for vertical mounting (IM 3011 / IM V1)
- Custom large flange fabricated in-house, with precise turning, milling, and drilling, requiring no foundation adjustments on site
- Installation of a air-to-air cooler to meet the IC616 cooling specification
- Fully adapted for inverter operation up to 70 Hz
Result: a fully operational replacement motor, installed and commissioned on-site within one week.
Technical motor specifications
- Menzel Motor Type: MEBKGR400XC-02
- Application: Vertical installation for sugar centrifuge
- Rated Power: up to 1,800 kW
- Voltage: 690 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz (inverter operation 0–70 Hz)
- Speed: 743 rpm
- Mounting: IM 3011 (IM V1)
- Protection Class: IP55
- Cooling Method: IC616
- Weight: approx. 13,250 kg
Our expertise – your advantage
This project highlights what MENZEL Electric Motors delivers:
- Rapid availability through extensive stock of low-, medium-, and high-voltage motors
- Custom adaptation of large motors – mechanically, electrically, and thermally
- In-house manufacturing capabilities, including welding, machining, and load testing
- International presence, with a branch in Sweden and multiple European locations
- Reliable solutions for critical industrial applications, even in emergencies
Our customers benefit from tailor-made electric motors, delivered quickly and reliably according to their exact specifications – even under high time pressure.
Vertical Motor Installation – Filmed On-Site in Sweden
Follow us to Sweden and see the installation of a vertical 1,800 kW low-voltage motor for a sugar centrifuge. The footage demonstrates real-world vertical motor placement and shows how MENZEL ensures smooth, precise installation at the customer site.
Do you need a high-performance motor on short notice or a customized motor solution? Contact our experts today. With our stock availability and engineering expertise, we provide the right solution for your application – quickly, reliably, and worldwide.
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