Nicotra Gebhardt ADH Alternative — LONGWELL LWFA-E direct-drive blowers

Looking for an alternative to Nicotra Gebhardt ADH? LONGWELL does not build belt-driven AHU fans, so there is no frame-for-frame ADH replacement. What LONGWELL offers for ADH duties is the LWFA-E direct-drive double-inlet forward-curved blower — Ø250–500 mm, up to 11,000 m³/h and 910 Pa per unit, motor inside the impeller, no belt or pulley — and, for the upper half of the ADH range, a FanGrid array of LWBE3G EC backward-curved plug fans. Selection is by duty point; aerodynamics are characterized using AMCA 210/211 test methods; delivery 15–30 days.

Replaces: Nicotra Gebhardt ADH 250 – ADH 560 (asymmetric outlet) Frame / size: Ø250–560 mm · asymmetric Family: Nicotra ADH → LONGWELL LWFA-E (duty-point match, not a frame mirror) Sample: 1–3 days

Replacing

Nicotra Gebhardt
ADH

ADH · Forward-curved asymmetric-outlet centrifugal

→

With

LONGWELL
LWFA-E direct-drive blowers

Direct drive · duty-point match · 15–30 day delivery

Specification Comparison

Specification	Nicotra Gebhardt ADH	LONGWELL LWFA-E direct-drive blowers
Fan type	Forward-curved asymmetric-outlet centrifugal	Forward-curved double-inlet centrifugal, direct-drive external-rotor
Impeller / frame	Ø250–560 mm · asymmetric	Ø250–500 mm · scroll housing, direct drive Not frame-interchangeable
Airflow range	4,500–25,000 m³/h	up to 11,000 m³/h per unit (LWFA-E-500-02); larger duties as an LWBE3G FanGrid
Static pressure (max)	800–1,300 Pa	up to 910 Pa
Power class	motor-selectable (IE3/IE4)	external-rotor AC motor, rated per model
Noise floor (Lw)	81 dB(A)	from 58 dB(A) (nameplate, per model)
Voltage	230 / 400 V · 380–480 V 3Φ	220–230 V 1Φ (380–400 V 3Φ via LWBE3G FanGrid)
Drive / motor	Belt-drive, IE3/IE4 motor (EC retrofit)	Direct drive — motor inside the impeller hub, no belt Belt-free
Certifications	CE · UL · EAC · AMCA	CE · RoHS · REACH · ETL on request
Sample lead time	4–10 weeks	1–3 days
Series lead time (≤500 units)	10–14 weeks	15–30 days
Landed cost index (LONGWELL = 100)	175–200	100 (baseline)

Verify it on the LONGWELL selector: LWFA-E Ø280–500 mm — 14 models, data, curves, drawings · LWFA-E-500-02 (largest airflow, 11,000 m³/h) · LWBE3G560 EC plug fans for FanGrid duties · check your own duty point · samples, MOQ and lead time

Selection is by duty point, not by frame number. Send the ADH size, the operating point (m³/h at Pa) and the supply voltage; LONGWELL returns the LWFA-E model — or a FanGrid array — with its curve and dimensioned drawing.

Why Engineers Switch from ADH to LWFA-E direct-drive blowers

4–8× Faster Delivery

15–30 days

vs 10–14 weeks ex-works for Nicotra Gebhardt in 2026. 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.

No Belt to Maintain

0 belts

The external-rotor motor sits inside the impeller: no belt tensioning, pulley wear or bearing-block service. EC versions add 0–10 V / PWM / Modbus RTU speed control.

Drop-in compatibility vs the ADH: what matches and what changes

Frame & dimensional match

The LWFA-E is a scroll-housing double-inlet blower with the motor inside the impeller, so its outlet flange, foot pattern and overall depth differ from a belt-driven ADH. The AHU mounting rails and outlet transition are adapted at retrofit; a dimensioned drawing is on every model page of the selection site. ADH sizes above Ø500 mm are covered by an EC FanGrid of LWBE3G plug fans rather than by a single unit.

Drive & motor options

LONGWELL builds direct-drive fans only: external-rotor AC motors as standard on the LWFA-E blowers (220–230 V 1Φ), EC motors on the LWDD blowers and on the LWBE3G plug fans (230 V 1Φ or 380–400 V 3Φ, 0–10 V / PWM / Modbus RTU). There is no belt-drive variant and no "-K" designation.

Performance match

Match the ADH duty point on the LONGWELL selector: enter airflow and static pressure and it lists every model whose curve covers the point, with the measured curve where available and a nameplate estimate otherwise. The LWFA-E-500-02 reaches 11,000 m³/h at up to 910 Pa; above that, two to four LWBE3G plug fans in a FanGrid cover ADH 500–560 duties with N+1 redundancy.

Typical Applications

LWFA-E direct-drive blowers and LWBE3G FanGrid arrays are used across packaged AHU and commercial ventilation. Common application categories include:

Packaged AHU with side outlet
Factory / commercial ventilation
Air-curtain & make-up air

The ADH asymmetric outlet is matched on the LONGWELL side by the scroll outlet orientation of the LWFA-E (left- or right-hand on request) or by the free-outlet plug-fan arrangement of a FanGrid.

FAQ

Is there a size-for-size LONGWELL equivalent of the Nicotra ADH?

No. LONGWELL does not make belt-driven fans and does not use Nicotra frame designations. The LWFA-E direct-drive blower covers ADH 250–500 duties up to 11,000 m³/h and 910 Pa; larger ADH duties are covered by an EC FanGrid of LWBE3G plug fans. Selection is by duty point, and mounting is confirmed against the LONGWELL drawing.

Does LONGWELL offer an EC version?

Yes. EC external-rotor motors with 0–10 V / PWM / Modbus RTU control are available across the direct-drive range, and the LWBE3G plug-fan line is EC as standard in 230 V 1Φ and 380–400 V 3Φ. There is no belt to remove — the motor sits inside the impeller hub.

What is the lead-time and cost difference?

LONGWELL LWFA-E direct-drive blowers ship in 15–30 days vs 10–14 weeks ex-works for Nicotra ADH under allocation, and typically land 40–55% below Nicotra ex-works pricing at equivalent duty. Samples ship in 1–3 days.

What should I send to get a verified proposal?

The Nicotra model and size, the duty point (airflow at static pressure), supply voltage and frequency, the control signal you use, and a photo or drawing of the existing mounting. Engineering returns the LONGWELL model, its curve, a dimensioned drawing and the sample lead time — usually within one working day.

Can I get the full Nicotra-to-LONGWELL cross-reference?

This guide covers AT, DD/DDM, DDP, RDH, RZR and ADH. For any other Nicotra model send the nameplate to sales@longwellfans.com, or enter the duty point on the LONGWELL selection site to see every model whose curve covers it.

Replace your ADH — samples in 1–3 days

Send a quick request — model + quantity + delivery address. Sample unit ships in 1–3 days for field validation. Series production at 15–30 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 LWFA-E direct-drive blowers directly.

View on longwellfans.com →

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. All performance figures reflect specific test conditions; final selection should be confirmed by duty point, voltage/control, mounting and project validation.