Explore our specialized heavy-duty electric motors built to strict IEC/EN 60079 explosion protection standards. Every unit features optimized thermal design, ingress protection up to IP66/IP67, and custom mounting configurations for seamless replacement in Chilean industrial facilities.
Chile stands as the undisputed mining capital of South America, hosting world-class open-pit copper mines, vast lithium brine ponds in the Atacama basin, major pulp & paper mills, and critical port infrastructure across its 4,300-kilometer coastline. Operating electric motor drives in these environments requires overcoming compounding physical and environmental hazards: combustible organic and mineral dusts, flammable process gases, hyper-saline salt atmospheric corrosion, and intense solar radiation combined with extreme altitude derating above 3,000 meters above sea level (ASL).
Under modern international safety standards—specifically the IEC 60079 standard series harmonized within ATEX and IECEx certification schemes—the technical definitions for hazardous area motors have evolved. The transition from legacy non-sparking Ex nA standards to the updated Ex ec (Increased Safety "ec") standard under IEC 60079-7, alongside the dust ignition protection standard Ex tc (Protection by Enclosure "tc") under IEC 60079-31, establishes rigorous baseline requirements for electrical machines installed in Zone 2 (gas) and Zone 22 (dust) atmospheres.
As a premier manufacturer and specialized engineering vendor supplying the Chilean market, our production facilities engineer bespoke low-voltage, medium-voltage, and high-voltage Ex ec and Ex tc motors up to 25 MW. We provide full mechanical interchangeability with legacy installations (Siemens, ABB, WEG, General Electric), ensuring rapid deployment and zero-downtime integration for mine operators, engineering contractors (EPCs), and plant maintenance teams.
Designed for Zone 2 explosive gas atmospheres. Replaces legacy Ex nA protection. Features enhanced air clearances, anti-tracking insulation, spark-free rotor bars, and strict surface temperature control (T1–T6) to prevent ignition under normal operating conditions.
Engineered for Zone 22 non-conductive and conductive dust environments (Group IIIA/IIIB/IIIC). Utilizes precision labryinth shaft seals, IP65/IP66 heavy-duty cast iron or steel enclosures, and mechanical joint gaskets to prevent fine dust ingress.
At altitudes between 3,000 m and 4,500 m ASL (e.g., Calama, Antofagasta Region), thin air drastically reduces convection cooling efficiency. We compensate using Class H VPI insulation, oversized cooling fans, and derated thermal margins.
Selecting the correct motor specification requires precise alignment between zone classification, gas/dust groupings, ambient thermal ranges, and variable frequency drive (VFD) compatibility. Below is an engineering overview comparing Ex ec and Ex tc parameters designed for industrial operations in Chile:
| Parameter | Ex ec (Increased Safety "ec") | Ex tc (Protection by Enclosure "tc") | Dual Certified (Ex ec / Ex tc) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous Zone | Zone 2 (Gas, Vapors, Mists) | Zone 22 (Non-conductive/Conductive Dust) | Zone 2 & Zone 22 Dual Area |
| Governing Standard | IEC / EN 60079-7:2015+A1:2017 | IEC / EN 60079-31:2022 | IEC 60079-0, 60079-7 & 60079-31 |
| Atmosphere Grouping | Group IIA, IIB, IIC (Gases) | Group IIIA, IIIB, IIIC (Dusts) | Group IIB/IIC (Gas) + Group IIIB/IIIC (Dust) |
| Ingress Rating (IP Code) | IP55 Minimum (IP65/IP66 optional) | IP65 for IIIB Dust / IP66 for IIIC Dust | IP66 Dual Sealed Labyrinth |
| Temperature Class | T3 (200°C) or T4 (135°C) Standard | T125°C or T135°C Maximum Surface Temp | T3 / T135°C Dual Rated |
| VFD Operation (Inverter Duty) | Requires insulated bearings + thermal sensors | Enclosure temperature monitoring mandatory | Insulated NDE Bearing + Shaft Grounding Ring |
| Chile SEC Compliance | Mandatory IECEx / ATEX Certificate | Mandatory IECEx / ATEX Certificate | Direct SEC Registration via Certificate of Conformity |
Our custom Ex ec and Ex tc motors are engineered specifically to overcome the harsh operational environments found across Chile's primary industrial zones. Below are four key application domains where our drives excel:
Major open-pit copper mines operating in locations like Chuquicamata, Escondida, and Collahuasi present extreme conditions: extreme altitude (>3,200 meters), heavy copper concentrate dust, and intense daily ambient temperature swings.
Solution: Ex tc IP66 dust-ignition proof motors fitted with heavy-duty cast iron frames, Class H VPI insulation with Class B temperature rise limits, and anti-friction bearings loaded with synthetic low-temperature grease.
In the Atacama salt flats, lithium brine processing involves high salt crystallization, corrosive reagent gases, and hyper-saline airborne dust that rapidly degrades standard industrial equipment.
Solution: Dual-certified Ex ec / Ex tc drives featuring C5-M high-durability epoxy marine painting systems, 316 stainless steel fasteners, external brass shaft slingers, and moisture-resistant anti-condensation heaters.
Chile's timber and pulp industry relies heavily on continuous processing mills near Concepción and Los Ángeles. Wood chip handling areas and chemical bleaching processes produce combustible sawdust (Zone 22) and volatile organic fumes (Zone 2).
Solution: High-efficiency IE3/IE4 Ex ec T3 motors for chemical digesters, paired with Ex tc motors for timber conveyor belts, preventing fine wood dust accumulation from sparking.
Chilean port facilities handling mineral concentrates, chemical exports, and liquid fuels require robust explosion-proof drives capable of resisting salt spray corrosion, humidity, and continuous loading schedules.
Solution: Medium and high-voltage Ex ec motors up to 13.8 kV, designed for large boiler fans, intake pumps, and ship-loader conveyors with full salt mist marine protection.
The industrial landscape in Chile is experiencing rapid modernization driven by strict environmental regulations, safety standards, and energy efficiency mandates:
With a heritage of German electrical engineering dating back to 1927, our company stands as a worldwide leader in manufacturing custom, high-voltage, and specialized hazardous area electric motors up to 25 MW and 13.8 kV.
When standard catalog motors cannot meet aggressive lead times, extreme high-altitude specs, or complex mechanical dimensions, our factory delivers engineered-to-order solutions. Key manufacturing capabilities include:
Every motor undergoes comprehensive testing—including full load, heat run, vibration analysis, and explosion protection certification checks—before shipment to South America.
We replicate identical shaft heights, mounting hole dimensions, terminal box placements, and flange configurations of older, obsolete motors to guarantee seamless plug-and-play installation.
We maintain one of the world's largest stocks of medium and high-voltage motors, enabling rapid modification and emergency air-freight shipment to Santiago, Antofagasta, or Calama within days.
Get expert answers regarding technical compliance, altitude derating, SEC authorization, and installation of Ex ec and Ex tc motors in Chile.
Our engineering team is ready to analyze your technical data plate, duty cycle, altitude constraints, and hazardous zone specifications. Contact us today for direct factory pricing, custom dimensional drawings, and fast international dispatch.
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