Challenge: Eliminate any potential ignition sources
Operating large motors safely within explosive atmospheres like Zone 2 involves overcoming complex safety regulations designed to eliminate any potential ignition sources. Our customer needed a motor capable of delivering continuous, high power within an environment containing combustible gas mixtures. Even minor gas ingress inside the motor could cause catastrophic failure. The challenge was to provide not only sufficient power and effective cooling but also strict compliance with explosion protection requirements. This meant implementing an pressurized enclosure (Ex p) system conforming to ATEX Category 3G (level of protection Ex pzc), with a motor design that could be fully certified and reliably installed directly within the refinery’s demanding operational conditions.
Solution: Pressurized motor (Ex p) with certified Ex e terminal box
MENZEL developed a custom pressurized squirrel cage motor delivering 1,635 kW at 6,000 V, engineered explicitly for compressor drives in hazardous areas. Featuring robust IP 55 protection and efficient IC 611 cooling, the motor was examined individually by TÜV NORD (certificate TÜV 21 ATEX 312734 X, II 3G Ex pzc ec ic IIC T3 Gc). Before start-up, the pressurization system purges the motor enclosure and then maintains an overpressure, so that no explosive atmosphere can enter the motor and reach potential ignition sources inside. To simplify installation and guarantee compliance, MENZEL incorporated a separately certified main terminal box in type of protection increased safety (Ex e). The motor was tested by TÜV NORD in MENZEL’s test field in Berlin, including the Ex p tests according to EN 60079-2 (purging, leakage and minimum overpressure) and the temperature rise verification by the equivalent load method, providing you with verified performance and safety before installation. Through this solution, our customer benefits from a high-performance motor that not only meets but exceeds safety and operational expectations while offering flexible, reliable, and rapid delivery.
Technical Data
Our Expertise: Your Advantage
This project highlights how MENZEL’s technical precision and certification know-how translate into direct benefits for your operations. Our expansive test facility guarantees that your motor meets the highest operational standards prior to delivery, assuring superior performance and safety in explosive environments. Moreover, the motor’s modular design and availability of retrofit kits empower you to implement rapid installations and limit downtime.
Do you face similar operational challenges in hazardous areas or require explosion-proof motors precisely matched to your application?
