Nicotra Gebhardt DD / DDM Alternative — LONGWELL LWDD EC direct-drive blowers

Looking for an alternative to Nicotra Gebhardt DD / DDM? The LONGWELL LWDD EC direct-drive double-inlet blowers use the same inch frame designations — LWDD9-9-EC for the 9/9 frame, LWDD10-10-EC for 10/10, LWDD12-12-EC for 12/12 (Ø178–305 mm, 12 models) — with an EC external-rotor motor inside the impeller, 220–230 V 1Φ and 0–10 V / PWM / Modbus RTU control. The 15/15 frame is covered by the LWFA-E-350/400 direct-drive blowers. Same frame size does not mean identical scroll dimensions: confirm the drawing on the model page. Aerodynamics are characterized using AMCA 210/211 test methods; delivery 15–30 days.

Replaces: Nicotra Gebhardt DDM 9/9 – DDM 15/15 (direct-drive EC) Frame / size: frame 9/9 – 15/15 · Ø225–355 mm Family: Nicotra DD / DDM → LONGWELL LWDD EC (same frame sizes 9/9, 10/10, 12/12; drawing check required) Sample: 1–3 days

Replacing

Nicotra Gebhardt
DD / DDM

DD / DDM · Forward-curved direct-drive (EC available)

→

With

LONGWELL
LWDD EC direct-drive blowers

Direct drive EC · same frame sizes · 15–30 day delivery

Specification Comparison

Specification	Nicotra Gebhardt DD / DDM	LONGWELL LWDD EC direct-drive blowers
Fan type	Forward-curved direct-drive (EC available)	Forward-curved double-inlet centrifugal, direct-drive EC external-rotor
Impeller / frame	frame 9/9 – 15/15 · Ø225–355 mm	frames 7/5 – 12/12 · Ø178–305 mm (LWDD) · Ø350–400 mm (LWFA-E) Same frame sizes
Airflow range	2,500–9,000 m³/h	up to 4,362 m³/h (LWDD12-9-EC) · up to 5,100 m³/h (LWFA-E-400-02)
Static pressure (max)	450–700 Pa	up to 608 Pa (LWDD10-10-EC) · 612 Pa (LWFA-E-400)
Power class	direct-drive EC / IE motor	EC external-rotor, rated per model (up to 585 W listed)
Noise floor (Lw)	74 dB(A)	per model (nameplate)
Voltage	230 / 400 V · 380–480 V 3Φ	220–230 V 1Φ
Drive / motor	Direct-drive EC / IE motor	Direct-drive EC external-rotor (LWDD) · AC (LWFA-E), 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: LWDD / LWFA-E Ø178–254 mm — 12 models, data, curves, drawings · LWDD12-9-EC (largest airflow in the LWDD line) · all 26 commercial blowers Ø178–500 mm · check your own duty point · samples, MOQ and lead time

Frame designation matches the Nicotra inch sizes (9/9, 10/10, 12/12); scroll dimensions, outlet flange and foot pattern must still be confirmed against the LONGWELL drawing on the model page before ordering.

Why Engineers Switch from DD / DDM to LWDD EC 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 DD / DDM: what matches and what changes

Frame & dimensional match

LWDD blowers carry the same inch frame designation as the DD / DDM (impeller diameter × width), so the impeller size class matches. The scroll housing, outlet flange and mounting feet are LONGWELL designs and are not guaranteed to be identical to the Nicotra scroll: check the dimensioned drawing on the model page against the existing cut-out and foot pattern. Left- and right-hand outlet orientation on request.

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 DD / DDM duty point on the LONGWELL selector: enter airflow and static pressure and it lists every LWDD and LWFA-E model whose curve covers the point. The LWDD line tops out at about 4,400 m³/h (12/12 frame); the 15/15 frame duty of the DDM range is covered by the LWFA-E-350 and LWFA-E-400 direct-drive blowers.

Typical Applications

LWDD EC blowers are used in compact direct-drive AHU, fan-coil and rooftop units. Common application categories include:

Compact direct-drive AHU
Fan-coil & rooftop units
Space-constrained plant rooms

DD / DDM is already direct-drive, so the retrofit is like-for-like: same frame size class, EC motor with 0–10 V / PWM / Modbus RTU control, no belt.

FAQ

Is LONGWELL LWDD a size-for-size alternative to Nicotra DD / DDM?

The frame sizes match (LWDD9-9-EC ↔ DDM 9/9, LWDD10-10-EC ↔ DDM 10/10, LWDD12-12-EC ↔ DDM 12/12), so the impeller size class is the same. Scroll dimensions and the foot pattern are LONGWELL designs — confirm them against the drawing on the model page before ordering. DDM 15/15 duties are covered by the LWFA-E-350/400.

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 LWDD EC direct-drive blowers ship in 15–30 days vs 10–14 weeks ex-works for Nicotra DD / DDM 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 DD / DDM — 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 LWDD EC 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.