Ex-Motor with extra protection

In potentially explosive atmospheres, special safety requirements apply to electrically operated components – spark formation must be avoided at all costs. The explosion-proof encapsulated electric motor from BEN Buchele meets the highest explosion protection requirements at a high level of performance and offers additional features, such as the integrated braking function.

The size 280 three-phase asynchronous motor was designed for the highest explosion group, IIC, which includes hydrogen as a highly explosive and highly flammable gas. The temperature class is also relevant, which describes at which surface temperature of the motor the surrounding gas ignites. The BEN engine corresponds to class T4, in which the engine may have a maximum of 135 degrees Celsius on the surface of the housing, to prevent hydrogen or other gases such as ethyl ether from igniting. The actual ignition temperature is still well below this; however, a safety buffer is essential here.

Robust, durable, powerful

Like all BEN Buchele motors, the Ex-Motor is very robust, low-maintenance and durable. Its sturdy gray cast iron design withstands the harshest environmental conditions such as salt water, salty air or extreme temperatures from minus 35 degrees Celsius to plus 50 degrees Celsius. Depending on the requirements, the motor can be designed without a fan, with a self-vented fan or with a forced ventilation fan for the operating modes S1 (continuous operation), S2 or S3 (both short-time duty) and can thus be used for outputs from 50 to 200 kW.

Special function: brake

Originally developed for anchor and mooring winches on large ships, the Ex-Motor has another special feature: an integrated electromagnetic spring-applied brake with 3,300 Nm of braking force. The braking function is also a supportive safety tool for crane systems or conveyor belts in Ex-areas. Further possible uses for the Ex-motor with brake function are pumps that convey an explosive medium directly.

The Ex-motors with the safety level IIC/T4 are suitable for applications in the chemical and petrochemical industries, for cooling gas pipelines, in the offshore sector, on oil drilling platforms or for axial and radial fans in air conditioning and ventilation systems.

Customized motor design

For all fixed characteristics, BEN Buchele always relies on the individual design that matches the application. The high safety standards in sensitive Ex areas can only be maintained if all parameters, from the power, the danger zone, the ambient temperature, the operating mode to additional equipment (e.g. incremental encoder, anti-condensation heating or current-insulated bearings) are clarified.

The one-to-one exchange that BEN Buchele's customized production makes possible is practical. If existing standard electric motors need to be replaced, for example, because country-specific regulations for explosion-proof areas have changed, BEN Buchele manufactures an equivalent flameproof motor based on the specification of the existing motor. This means that existing connections, piping and hydraulics can continue to be used.