Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18 Alternative — LONGWELL AT 18-18L / 18-18LK

Looking for an alternative to Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18? LONGWELL's commercial centrifugal line mirrors the Nicotra naming 1:1 — AT 18-18L / 18-18LK — with identical frame designation, dimensional interchangeability, belt-drive or factory EC-upgrade, AMCA-tested aerodynamics, at 40–55% lower landed cost and 15-day delivery vs 10–14 weeks ex-works Nicotra. This is the single highest-value naming-mirror battle in the commercial AHU segment.

Replaces: Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18 (also AT 18/13) Frame / size: Ø457 mm · frame 18/18 Family: Nicotra AT 18/18 → LONGWELL AT 18-18L (naming mirror) Sample: 1–3 days
Replacing
Nicotra Gebhardt
AT 18/18
AT 18/18 · DIDW belt-drive double-inlet forward-curved
With
LONGWELL
AT 18-18L / 18-18LK
1:1 frame mirror · belt or EC · 15-day delivery

Specification Comparison

SpecificationNicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18LONGWELL AT 18-18L / 18-18LK
Fan typeDIDW belt-drive double-inlet forward-curvedDIDW belt-drive double-inlet forward-curved
Impeller / frameØ457 mm · frame 18/18Ø457 mm · frame 18/18 Drop-in
Airflow rangeup to 28,000 m³/hup to 28,000 m³/h
Static pressure (max)up to 1,200 Paup to 1,200 Pa
Power classmotor-selectable (IE3/IE4/EC)motor-selectable (IE3/IE4/EC)
AMCA 210 static efficiency (peak)72%72%
Noise floor (Lw)82 dB(A)82 dB(A)
Voltage230 / 400 V · 380–480 V 3Φ230 / 400 V · 380–480 V 3Φ
Drive / motorBelt-drive, IE3/IE4 motor (EC retrofit)Belt-drive IE3/IE4 standard, factory EC option Match + EC option
CertificationsCE · UL · EAC · AMCACE · UL · cUL · TÜV · EAC · RoHS · REACH
Sample lead time4–10 weeks1–3 days
Series lead time (≤500 units)10–14 weeks15–30 days
Landed cost index (LONGWELL = 100)175–200100 (baseline)

Engineered match verified against Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18 (also AT 18/13) in LONGWELL's cross-brand model library (record: NAMING_MIRROR — The AT 18-18L mirrors the Nicotra AT 18/18 frame 1:1). The AT 18-18L mirrors the Nicotra AT 18/18 frame 1:1; the 18-18LK adds a factory EC-drive option for variable-volume AHU.

Why Engineers Switch from AT 18/18 to AT 18-18L / 18-18LK

4–8× Faster Delivery

15–30 days
vs 10–14 weeks ex-works for Nicotra Gebhardt in 2026 (active allocation). Sample units 1–3 days from stock.

40–55% Lower Landed Cost

−40 to −55%
per unit at equivalent spec. On a multi-unit AHU / fan-grid program the CapEx delta scales fast.

Belt or EC-Upgrade Path

25–40%
fan-energy saving available via the factory EC-drive (-K) variant vs the standard belt-drive Nicotra arrangement.

Drop-In Compatibility Details

Frame & dimensional match

LONGWELL AT 18-18L / 18-18LK carries the identical frame 18/18 frame designation as Nicotra AT 18/18 — scroll dimensions, inlet cone, outlet flange, and shaft/bearing centres match 1:1, so it drops into the same AHU section, the same belt-guard, and the same pedestal without rework.

Drive & motor options

LONGWELL ships the AT 18-18L / 18-18LK belt-driven with a selectable IE3 / IE4 motor to match the existing Nicotra AT 18/18 drive train, and offers a factory EC-upgrade variant (the -K suffix) that replaces the belt with a direct EC drive for variable-volume AHU and 25–40% fan energy savings.

Performance match

The aerodynamic curve of LONGWELL AT 18-18L / 18-18LK tracks the Nicotra AT 18/18 within AMCA 210 test tolerance across the operating envelope (third-party tested). The AT 18-18L mirrors the Nicotra AT 18/18 frame 1:1; the 18-18LK adds a factory EC-drive option for variable-volume AHU. Performance is matched at the published duty point, with LONGWELL's documented cross-brand library backing the selection.

Typical Applications

The LONGWELL AT 18-18L / 18-18LK is widely deployed across large commercial AHU and 28,000 m³/h-class air handling. Common application categories include:

  • Large commercial AHU
  • Air-handling units 28,000 m³/h class
  • Industrial supply/return air

The AT 18/18 frame is the high-volume large-AHU workhorse; LONGWELL AT 18-18L mirrors it 1:1 and adds an EC-upgrade path (18-18LK).

FAQ

Is LONGWELL AT 18-18L / 18-18LK dimensionally interchangeable with Nicotra AT 18/18?
Yes. LONGWELL mirrors the Nicotra commercial naming 1:1 — AT 18-18L / 18-18LK carries the same frame 18/18 frame designation, scroll dimensions, inlet/outlet geometry and shaft centres, so it fits the same AHU section and pedestal. The AT 18-18L mirrors the Nicotra AT 18/18 frame 1:1; the 18-18LK adds a factory EC-drive option for variable-volume AHU.
Does LONGWELL offer an EC-upgrade for the AT 18/18?
Yes — alongside the belt-drive IE3/IE4 standard build, LONGWELL offers a factory EC-drive variant (the -K suffix, e.g. 18-18LK) that replaces the belt with a direct EC drive for 25–40% fan energy saving and BMS speed control.
What's the 2026 lead-time and cost difference?
LONGWELL AT 18-18L / 18-18LK ships in 15–30 days vs 10–14 weeks ex-works for Nicotra AT 18/18 under allocation, and typically lands 40–55% below Nicotra ex-works pricing at equivalent spec. Samples ship in 1–3 days.
Why does LONGWELL use the same model naming as Nicotra?
LONGWELL's commercial centrifugal line was engineered to be a 1:1 functional and dimensional mirror of the Nicotra Gebhardt range, so specifiers can cross-reference by frame designation directly (AT, DD/DDK, RDH/RDH-R, RZR/RLM E, ADH). It removes re-selection effort — the LONGWELL part is the same size, same duty, same AHU section.
Can I get the full Nicotra-to-LONGWELL commercial cross-reference?
Yes — the complete AT / DD / RDH / RZR / ADH naming-mirror table is in the cross-reference, and the Commercial Blower Portfolio Pack covers the full line. Send the Nicotra model + duty point to sales@zjlongwell.com for a verified equivalent and sample.

Replace your AT 18/18 in 5 days

Send a quick request — model + quantity + delivery address. Sample unit ships in 1–3 days for field validation. Series production at 15-day lead time after PO.

Request Sample View Full Cross-Reference Table
Official Product Page
Browse the full Commercial Centrifugal Fans & Blowers range on longwellfans.com — request a quote on AT 18-18L / 18-18LK directly.
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Nicotra Gebhardt® is a trademark of its owner. LONGWELL is an independent manufacturer and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nicotra Gebhardt. This page is published as engineering reference based on public datasheets.