ABB has expanded its vertical hollow shaft (VHS) motor portfolio with two new variants designed for fire pump applications. The new TEFC and WP1 fire pump motors are intended for critical fire protection and water management systems, combining the established VHS motor design with features required for demanding emergency applications.
The WP1 fire pump motors are designed to support water flow in standpipe and sprinkler systems, hydrant installations and chemical suppression systems. The motors feature Weather Protected Type 1 (WP1) enclosures and inverter-duty construction for outdoor and harsh operating conditions. They are available in power ratings from 15 to 500 horsepower and NEMA frames 213 to 449.
The WP1 motors offer extra-high thrust capacity of 175% on 360 frames and above and are UL listed for fire pump installations in accordance with NFPA 20. Other features include Class F insulation with Class B temperature rise, a non-reverse ratchet to prevent backspinning, space heaters for harsh environments and a drop-in replacement design for standard NEMA vertical hollow shaft motors. The motors are finished in RAL3002 exterior red paint for visibility and standardization.
The TEFC fire pump motors extend the range with a totally enclosed fan-cooled design for indoor and outdoor applications. Available from 7.5 to 500 horsepower in NEMA frames 213 to 449, the motors provide extra-high thrust capacity of 175% on 360 frames and above. They are UL listed for fire pump motor installations and feature Class F insulation with Class B temperature rise.
The TEFC motors are built with cast-iron construction and are inverter-duty rated for compatibility with variable speed drives. Like the WP1 variant, they feature RAL3002 exterior red paint. Both motor variants use ABB’s VHS platform, which includes a hollow shaft with a top-mounted coupling that allows pump access and maintenance without disturbing the pump shaft. Heavy-duty extra-high-thrust bearings are designed to handle the axial loads associated with vertical turbine pump operations.
The motors also provide compatibility with industry-standard NEMA P-base flanges, inverter-duty operation for variable speed drives, oil inspection through an advanced sight glass and vertical lifting provisions for installation. The motors are built to NEMA MG1 Part 31 standards for vertical pump applications.
ABB said the new variants address demand for fire pump motors in critical infrastructure, where dependable operation, maintenance access and compatibility with established pump systems are key requirements. The TEFC and WP1 fire pump motors are available through ABB’s global distribution and service network. Customers can specify multiple voltage configurations, with 60 Hz available as standard and 50 Hz as an option.
ABB Motion is a global manufacturer of motors, drives and related services, supporting industries in improving energy efficiency, productivity, safety and reliability. With more than 140 years of experience in electric powertrains, ABB Motion develops digitally enabled motor and drive solutions for applications across industrial sectors.
The business focuses on technologies that support energy-efficient operations, decarbonisation and circularity. Its portfolio of motors, drives and services is designed to help customers improve equipment performance, reduce energy consumption and support more sustainable industrial operations.
ABB Motion employs more than 22,000 people across 100 countries. Its products and services are used across a wide range of industrial applications, with the business combining engineering expertise, digital technologies and industry knowledge to develop motor-driven solutions.
ABB Motion is part of ABB, a global technology company focused on electrification and automation. ABB combines engineering and digitalisation capabilities to help industries improve efficiency, productivity and resource use while supporting their sustainability goals. ABB has more than 140 years of history and employs more than 105,000 people worldwide. The company’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker “ABBN” and on Nasdaq Stockholm under “ABB”.
