AIR motors: when they make sense, when WEG is worth the upgrade
AIR is a budget general-purpose lineup we ship where the motor runs occasionally or in undemanding regimes and the upfront price beats long-term margin. Our typical customer this year: a farmer on a seasonal irrigation rig, a woodworker with a table saw, an installer doing temporary ventilation, a property owner with a backup garden pump. On those duties AIR lasts 8-12 years without trouble if sized correctly.
For continuous S1 24/7 duty, aggressive environments, or extended VFD operation we stop recommending AIR. Those go to WEG W22 or ABB M2BAX. Reason is simple: the AIR winding is class F insulation, while ABB and WEG ship in Inverter Duty trim with reinforced insulation against VFD dV/dt spikes. The AIR lineup in our catalog has 121 models, 0.12 to 315 kW, frame heights 56-355 mm. IP55 enclosure, 220/380 V, 2/4/6/8/10/12 poles.
What we ask before you order AIR
First: duty cycle. Seasonal use 200-500 hours per year (irrigation, greenhouse fan) – AIR is fine. 24/7 process – pay the upgrade for WEG or ABB. We can show you payback numbers. Second: speed. Centrifugal pump default is 1500 rpm (4-pole, AIR_M4 or AIR_S4 in the part number). Plunger compressor goes 1000 rpm with a gearbox. High-pressure fan goes 3000 rpm (2-pole).
Third: starting method. Direct on-line is cheapest. We drop a contactor next to it and ship. Soft start (gentler ramp, less mains wear) – through a soft starter from 5.5 kW up. Speed control – through a VFD, but here we double-check the duty cycle. Stock AIR with a VFD on 24/7 is not something we recommend. We keep AIR71B4 (0.75 kW), AIR90L4 (2.2), AIR112M4 (5.5), AIR132M4 (11), AIR180S4 (22) in stock. Factory warranty 12 months, ship from our warehouse in 1-3 days.
| Model | Power, kW | Speed, rpm | Efficiency, % | Cos φ | Current, A | Weight, kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR71B4 | 0.75 | 1360 | 71.3 | 0.77 | 2.2 | 9.6 |
| AIR90L4 | 2.2 | 1400 | 80 | 0.81 | 5.3 | 25 |
| AIR112M4 | 5.5 | 1430 | 84.1 | 0.82 | 12.3 | 55 |
| AIR132M4 | 11 | 1450 | 87.1 | 0.84 | 23.1 | 88 |
| AIR180S4 | 22 | 1465 | 90.6 | 0.86 | 44.4 | 177 |
For pumping equipment, 2- and 4-pole motors are best (VFDs for pumps); for fans, 4- and 6-pole models work best (VFDs for fans).
Manufacturers in Our Catalog
In addition to the AIR series, our electric motors catalog features leading global brands:
- ABB Electric Motors — premium motors with IE3/IE4 energy efficiency class
- WEG Electric Motors — Brazilian motors with high efficiency and a broad lineup of frame sizes
AIR Motors by Specifications
Select an AIR motor by key technical parameters:
- By power: 0.12–0.75 kW (small drives), 1.1–5.5 kW (medium machinery), 7.5–22 kW (industrial equipment), 30–315 kW (heavy industry)
- By pole count: 2-pole (3000 rpm), 4-pole (1500 rpm), 6-pole (1000 rpm), 8-pole (750 rpm), 10-pole (600 rpm), 12-pole (500 rpm)
- By shaft height: from 56 mm (AIR56) to 355 mm (AIR355)
Warranty and Support
All AIR electric motors come with a manufacturer warranty. We provide technical consultations for motor selection for specific machinery and help choose a matching variable frequency drive. Delivery across Ukraine: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv and other cities. Payment by bank transfer with VAT or card.
