High-Power Low-Voltage Motors for Horizontal Pumping
Wolong Electric America expands its Quantum horizontal motor portfolio with low-voltage machines delivering up to 1500 HP for oil, gas, and industrial pumping applications.
www.wolongamerica.com
Wolong Electric America has introduced a new range of high-power, low-voltage motors designed for horizontal pumping and compression duties. The new motors extend the Quantum horizontal motor line and are engineered to deliver up to 1500 horsepower at 460 V, a power level traditionally achieved using medium-voltage motors or multiple low-voltage units operating in parallel.
Addressing power density and infrastructure limitations
In oil and gas production, natural gas compression, and other continuous-duty pumping applications, high power output is often constrained by existing low-voltage electrical infrastructure. Moving to medium voltage typically requires step-up transformers, additional protection systems, and higher installation and maintenance costs.
The new Quantum low-voltage motors are designed to overcome these constraints by providing medium-voltage-class power density within a low-voltage package. Built on the Quantum WPII 580 frame, the motors maintain a footprint comparable to medium-voltage machines, enabling high-horsepower deployment without reconfiguring existing electrical or mechanical layouts.
Electrical and mechanical design for VFD operation
The motors are 2-pole, three-phase designs optimized for variable frequency drive (VFD) operation. They incorporate inverter-grade insulation, a form-coil epoxy vacuum pressure impregnation (VPI) system, and insulated flange-mounted sleeve bearings. These features support reliable operation in moisture-laden and demanding industrial environments while maintaining insulation integrity under high electrical stress.
Certification to API 541 and API 547 standards aligns the motors with oil and gas industry requirements, while CSA certification and suitability for Division 2 hazardous environments support deployment in regulated facilities.
Installation, maintenance, and lifecycle considerations
Standardized features such as bearing temperature detectors (BTDs), resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), space heaters, and additional access boxes are integrated into the motor design to simplify installation and commissioning. Optional maintenance-free sleeve bearings further reduce service requirements and lifecycle costs.
The motors are engineered for an expected operating life of 20 years or more and are rated for ambient operating temperatures from –40°C to +50°C. This operating range supports deployment across a wide variety of climates and installation conditions, from outdoor pumping stations to enclosed industrial plants.
Application scope and operational impact
By enabling up to 1500 HP operation at low voltage, the new motors allow operators to consolidate drive systems and avoid medium-voltage conversions. Wolong Electric America states that this approach can deliver productivity gains of up to 70–80%, depending on application, while reducing system complexity and capital investment.
Target applications include oil and gas pumping, municipal power generation, centrifugal compressors, water chillers, fans, and blowers. The motors are available in voltages up to 575 V and 600 V and can be configured with application-specific options to match process and environmental requirements.
With this expansion of the Quantum motor line, Wolong Electric America addresses a long-standing gap between low- and medium-voltage motor solutions, offering a technically differentiated approach for high-power horizontal pumping systems that prioritizes infrastructure compatibility, reliability, and lifecycle efficiency.
www.wolongamerica.com
