Nicotra Gebhardt AT 15/15 Alternative — LONGWELL LWFA-E-450 direct-drive blowers

Looking for an alternative to Nicotra Gebhardt AT 15/15? LONGWELL does not build belt-driven DIDW fans, so there is no frame-15/15 mirror. The nearest LONGWELL direct-drive units are the LWFA-E-400 and LWFA-E-450 double-inlet forward-curved blowers (up to 10,500 m³/h at 750 Pa, Ø450 mm) — motor inside the impeller, no belt or pulley — and for the top of the AT 15/15 envelope 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 AT 15/15 Frame / size: Ø381 mm · frame 15/15 Family: Nicotra AT 15/15 → LONGWELL LWFA-E-450 (nearest direct-drive size, duty-point match) Sample: 1–3 days

Replacing

Nicotra Gebhardt
AT 15/15

AT 15/15 · DIDW belt-drive double-inlet forward-curved

→

With

LONGWELL
LWFA-E-450 direct-drive blowers

Direct drive · nearest size Ø450 mm · 15–30 day delivery

Specification Comparison

Specification	Nicotra Gebhardt AT 15/15	LONGWELL LWFA-E-450 direct-drive blowers
Fan type	DIDW belt-drive double-inlet forward-curved	Forward-curved double-inlet centrifugal, direct-drive external-rotor
Impeller / frame	Ø381 mm · frame 15/15	Ø400–450 mm · scroll housing, direct drive Not frame-interchangeable
Airflow range	up to 16,000 m³/h	up to 10,500 m³/h per unit (LWFA-E-450-02) · 11,000 m³/h (LWFA-E-500-02)
Static pressure (max)	up to 1,000 Pa	up to 750 Pa (Ø450) · 910 Pa (Ø500)
Power class	motor-selectable (IE3/IE4/EC)	external-rotor AC motor, rated per model
Noise floor (Lw)	80 dB(A)	from 68 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-450-02 — 10,500 m³/h, 750 Pa, data and drawing · all LWFA-E Ø280–500 mm models · LWBE3G450 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 AT 15/15 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 AT 15/15 to LWFA-E-450 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 AT 15/15: what matches and what changes

Frame & dimensional match

The LWFA-E-450 is a scroll-housing double-inlet blower with the motor inside the impeller; its outlet flange, foot pattern and depth differ from a belt-driven AT 15/15 with its separate motor and slide rails. The AHU fan section is re-railed at retrofit and the outlet transition adapted; a dimensioned drawing is on the model page of the selection site.

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

AT 15/15 duties up to about 10,500 m³/h at 750 Pa are covered by the LWFA-E-450-02; the top of the AT 15/15 envelope (up to 16,000 m³/h at 1,000 Pa) is covered by two LWBE3G450 or LWBE3G500 EC plug fans in a FanGrid. Enter the duty point on the selector to see every model whose curve covers it.

Typical Applications

LWFA-E direct-drive blowers and LWBE3G FanGrid arrays are used across mid-size commercial AHU and supply-air duty. Common application categories include:

Mid-large commercial AHU
Library / theatre HVAC
Industrial supply air

Where the existing AT 15/15 runs with a VFD, the EC FanGrid option gives the same variable-volume control from a 0–10 V or Modbus RTU signal without a separate drive.

FAQ

Is there a size-for-size LONGWELL equivalent of the Nicotra AT 15/15?

No. LONGWELL does not make belt-driven fans and does not use Nicotra frame designations. The nearest direct-drive unit is the LWFA-E-450 (up to 10,500 m³/h, 750 Pa); higher AT 15/15 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-450 direct-drive blowers ship in 15–30 days vs 10–14 weeks ex-works for Nicotra AT 15/15 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 AT 15/15 — 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-450 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.