ATEX external motor fans — for explosive zones with hot, corrosive or particle-laden air

ATEX external motor fans combine two distinct technical requirements in a single product: ATEX certification for safety in explosive atmospheres and external-motor configuration, for applications where the ventilated air has characteristics that would rapidly deteriorate a conventional motor traversed by that air.

When external motor configuration is needed in addition to ATEX certification:

Standard ATEX certification (HBX, HCX, MBX series) assumes the ventilated air does not have excessive temperatures or chemical compositions that degrade motor insulation. There are applications in ATEX-classified zones where the air is simultaneously:

• At elevated temperatures (60–130°C) — ovens, thermal processes in the chemical industry, solvent drying
• With corrosive vapours — acids, bases or solvents that attack motor insulation even in standard ATEX versions
• With abrasive particles in suspension — which erode motor rotating parts and compromise certified sealing

By mounting the motor outside the airstream (outside the fan casing or lateral to it), the ATEX motor is exposed only to the ambient air of the mounting area — which may be conditioned or at least at normal hall air temperature and composition — while the rotor inside the casing ventilates the air with aggressive characteristics.

Advantages over standard ATEX:

• Motor service life 2–3× longer in hot or corrosive air applications
• Ability to reach working temperatures of 80–130°C without ATEX recertification
• Motor accessible for inspection and replacement without removing the fan from the installation
• Compatibility with external speed controllers (AC or EC motor is accessible)

Typical applications: extraction fans in hot solvent drying processes, exhaust from ovens in ATEX-classified zones, ventilation in the chemical industry at moderate to elevated temperatures, extraction from rubber vulcanisation processes.

👉 Standard ATEX Axial fans — for normal temperature air in ATEX zones 👉 ATEX Centrifugal fans — high pressure, normal temperature air, ATEX zones