480V Axial Fan for OEM Industrial Equipment: 803 m3/h

What the OEM specified

A North American OEM asked us for a three-phase 480V axial fan, running at 60Hz and moving more than 500 m3/h.

That voltage tells you a lot on its own. It is the standard industrial supply across North America, so the market and the motor configuration were both settled before we started.

Reading between the lines

The brief was short and covered only power and performance. In our experience that pattern means the fan is a component inside an already-defined system, where cost and reliability drive the decision rather than features.

• Impeller diameter had to sit around 200mm, set by the available mounting space.
• No noise limit was given, though any commercial machine carries an unwritten one.
• The operating environment implied dust and damp, so IP54 protection was the sensible floor.
• Performance data had to be verifiable to ISO 5801, since they intended to model the system.

Selecting the 480V axial fan

Here the project was logged as light development, meaning data and a quote rather than design work. Our catalog holds several 480V axial fan options in this size class, so the job was picking the right one.

We had an EC option and did not offer it

An EC fan came up first, and it is genuinely more efficient with SmartEC control built in. However, we rejected it here.

The clue was in how simple the request was. Nothing in the brief needed variable speed at the fan, and the system architecture around it clearly did not either. Selling an EC fan into that application means the customer pays for control they will never wire up.

An AC motor meets the same performance target at a much lower price. So that is what we quoted.

The selected model

We chose the LWAA2D200S-5MEB-44-00. This 480V axial fan uses a five-blade cold-rolled steel impeller, which balances high airflow against moderate pressure. That suits general equipment ventilation well.

It delivers 803 m3/h, comfortably past the 500 m3/h floor. That margin matters, since real installations always add resistance the datasheet never sees.

The reliability details

Class F insulation and maintenance-free ball bearings support a 30,000-hour L10 life. Meanwhile the -30C to +60C range, built on our ThermoFlex approach, covers industrial sites that swing between seasons. IP54 protection comes as standard rather than as an option.

Technical Specifications

One number below is worth a second look. Sixty-five watts is a small price for 803 m3/h.

Technical Documentation

Meanwhile the complete technical datasheet, available as LWAA2D200S-5MEB-44-00.pdf, contains all performance curves, electrical specifications, and operational parameters essential for system design and verification by an HVAC engineer.

Why the OEM bought from us

Choosing a standard 480V axial fan usually turns on how quickly and honestly a supplier answers.

• Fast turnaround on standard parts. This went from enquiry to full technical proposal and quote in a fraction of the time European suppliers typically take, which shortens the customer design cycle rather than ours.
• We quoted what fits, not what pays more. Proposing a solid AC fan instead of a pricier EC one reflects how we work. Engineering depth on par with premium brands, at a materially more competitive price, is only useful if the specification is honest.
• Data you can model with. Performance figures come from testing to ISO 5801 methods, so the P-Q curves are usable. Combined with ISO 9001 manufacturing, that gives procurement confidence in unit-to-unit consistency.
• We know both voltage worlds. Identifying a 480V 60Hz solution immediately reflects regular North American work. This model is CE marked, and we hold UL 507 component certification where a project needs it.

See our axial fan range, or the AC axial fan section. Ingress ratings come from IEC 60529.

Questions about this fan

What is the lead time for 100 units?

A make-to-order batch of 100 to 500 units runs 15 to 25 days from purchase order confirmation. Meanwhile we hold stock on some high-volume models, which brings that down to 1 to 5 days. It is worth checking current stock with our sales team before planning around either figure.

Is a UL version available for North America?

Yes. The base model carries CE for Europe, and we hold component certification under UL 507 and UL 1004-1. Consequently a UL-certified 480V axial fan can be supplied where a project requires it. The aerodynamics and motor performance stay identical either way.

How does a Class F motor survive a +60C ambient?

Class F insulation is rated to a 155C winding temperature, so the question is really about temperature rise. The motor is designed so that full load in a +60C ambient still leaves a wide margin below 155C. That margin is what delivers the 30,000-hour L10 figure rather than a nominal survival claim.

Would an EC fan ever be worth it in this application?

Yes, under two conditions. If the machine runs long hours, the efficiency gain repays the price difference. If the system ever wants demand-based airflow, an EC fan gives that without extra hardware. Neither applied here, which is why we said so instead of upselling.