Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18 Alternative — LONGWELL LWBE3G EC FanGrid

Looking for an alternative to Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18? LONGWELL does not build belt-driven DIDW fans, so there is no frame-18/18 mirror. The 28,000 m³/h class is covered by a FanGrid of two LWBE3G560 EC backward-curved plug fans (up to 23,896 m³/h and 5,600 W per unit, 380–400 V 3Φ) — or by the LWFA-E-500 direct-drive blower for the lower part of the envelope (11,000 m³/h, 910 Pa). Selection is by duty point; aerodynamics are characterized using AMCA 210/211 test methods; delivery 15–30 days.

Replaces: Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18 (also AT 18/13) Frame / size: Ø457 mm · frame 18/18 Family: Nicotra AT 18/18 → LONGWELL LWBE3G EC FanGrid (duty-point match, not a frame mirror) Sample: 1–3 days

Replacing

Nicotra Gebhardt
AT 18/18

AT 18/18 · DIDW belt-drive double-inlet forward-curved

→

With

LONGWELL
LWBE3G EC FanGrid

EC plug fans in a FanGrid · duty-point match · 15–30 day delivery

Specification Comparison

Specification	Nicotra Gebhardt AT 18/18	LONGWELL LWBE3G EC FanGrid
Fan type	DIDW belt-drive double-inlet forward-curved	EC backward-curved plug fans (no scroll) in a FanGrid · LWFA-E direct-drive blower for lower duties
Impeller / frame	Ø457 mm · frame 18/18	Ø450–630 mm per plug fan (LWBE3G) · Ø500 mm (LWFA-E-500) Not frame-interchangeable
Airflow range	up to 28,000 m³/h	up to 23,896 m³/h per unit (LWBE3G560-218NT-13) — 28,000 m³/h class as a 2-fan FanGrid
Static pressure (max)	up to 1,200 Pa	up to 1,545 Pa (Ø560) · 2,342 Pa (Ø450) · 910 Pa (LWFA-E-500)
Power class	motor-selectable (IE3/IE4/EC)	up to 5,600 W per plug fan
Noise floor (Lw)	82 dB(A)	from 63 dB(A) (nameplate, per model)
Voltage	230 / 400 V · 380–480 V 3Φ	380–400 V 3Φ (LWBE3G) · 220–230 V 1Φ (LWFA-E)
Drive / motor	Belt-drive, IE3/IE4 motor (EC retrofit)	Direct-drive EC external-rotor with integrated controller, no belt EC standard
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: LWBE3G560 — 10 models, data, curves, drawings · LWBE3G560-218NT-13 (23,896 m³/h per unit) · LWFA-E-500-02 direct-drive blower (11,000 m³/h) · check your own duty point · samples, MOQ and lead time

Selection is by duty point, not by frame number. Send the AT 18/18 operating point (m³/h at Pa) and the supply voltage; LONGWELL returns the FanGrid arrangement (number of fans, size, wall layout) with curves and dimensioned drawings.

Why Engineers Switch from AT 18/18 to LWBE3G EC FanGrid

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 18/18: what matches and what changes

Frame & dimensional match

A FanGrid replaces the belt-driven AT 18/18, its motor and slide rails with two or more EC plug fans on a wall plate inside the AHU fan section. There is no scroll: the fans blow freely into the section, which usually shortens the fan section. The wall plate and inlet-nozzle cut-outs are made to the LONGWELL drawings on the model pages; the LWFA-E-500 scroll blower is the alternative where a ducted outlet must be kept.

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 18/18 duties up to 28,000 m³/h at 1,200 Pa are covered by two LWBE3G560 plug fans (23,896 m³/h and 1,545 Pa per unit at full speed) running part-load, which is also where EC efficiency is best; three LWBE3G500 units are the redundant N+1 layout. Enter the duty point on the selector to see every model whose curve covers it.

Typical Applications

LWBE3G FanGrid arrays are used across large commercial AHU and supply/return-air duty. Common application categories include:

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

A FanGrid also removes the single point of failure of one large belt-driven fan: with N+1 units the AHU keeps running through a fan fault.

FAQ

Is there a size-for-size LONGWELL equivalent of the Nicotra AT 18/18?

No. LONGWELL does not make belt-driven fans and does not use Nicotra frame designations. The 28,000 m³/h AT 18/18 class is covered by a FanGrid of two LWBE3G560 EC plug fans (or three LWBE3G500 for N+1); the lower part of the envelope by the LWFA-E-500 direct-drive blower. Selection is by duty point, and the wall-plate layout is confirmed against the LONGWELL drawings.

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 LWBE3G EC FanGrid ship in 15–30 days vs 10–14 weeks ex-works for Nicotra AT 18/18 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 18/18 — 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 LWBE3G EC FanGrid 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.