RAEL Tube Series – Explosion-Proof Motors for Axial and Duct Fans

RAEL Tube is a flameproof Ex db motor designed for ATEX axial fan manufacturers. It is built on the RAEL RL platform, but with a lower profile and the terminal box moved to the back of the motor, so it sits cleanly inside a duct and leaves the airflow free. KJ Export supplies Tube motors across the Middle East as RAEL's exclusive agent since 2010.
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Why a Tube motor for a direct-drive fan
In a direct-drive tube axial or duct fan the motor sits inside the air stream, on the same shaft as the impeller. A standard Ex motor with a terminal box on top blocks part of the duct and makes the cable route awkward. Tube solves this in three ways:
- Lower profile. With the terminal box at the back, the motor is much lower than a standard RL motor of the same frame (see the table below). More free area in the duct means better airflow.
- Rear terminal box. The cable can leave in line with the motor axis or at 90°, so it can be routed along the fan support instead of across the air stream.
- Light aluminium housing. Less weight on the fan supports and the duct, and less vibration load. A RAEL frame 71 motor weighs about 7.5 – 8.5 kg.
| Frame | RL standard – height HD (mm) | Tube – height HD (mm) | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 181 | 112 | 69 mm (−38%) |
| 63 | 205 | 128 | 77 mm (−38%) |
| 71 | 213 | 136 | 77 mm (−36%) |
HD = height from the bottom of the feet to the top of the motor, B3 mounting.
Applications

- Tube axial and duct fans for hazardous areas
- Wall and plate fans (pad mounting B30)
- Extraction fans for refineries, petrochemical and gas plants
- Ventilation of pump rooms, compressor houses and tank areas
- Paint booths and solvent stores
- Battery rooms (IIC covers hydrogen)
- Dust extraction in Zone 21 and 22
- OEM fans for ATEX ventilation units
Read more: why use explosion-proof motors for ventilation fans.
Technical specifications
| Feature | Tube series |
|---|---|
| Protection (gas) | II 2G Ex db IIC T6…T4 Gb · II 2G Ex db eb IIC T6…T4 Gb |
| Protection (dust) | II 2D Ex tb IIIC T85°C…T135°C Db |
| Hazardous areas | Zone 1 and 2 (gas) · Zone 21 and 22 (dust) |
| Frame sizes | 56, 63, 71 |
| Versions | Three-phase and single-phase (electrical data as RL series up to frame 71) |
| Mounting | B3, B5, B14, B30 (pad mounting), B34, B35 – feet and flanges are interchangeable |
| Cable output | Top or back; with or without cable gland or cable |
| Ambient temperature | −40 °C to +60 °C (T4, T5, T6) |
| Housing | Die-cast aluminium, based on the RL series |
| Options | 60 Hz windings, special voltages, IP66 and custom versions on request |
| Certificate | TÜV IT 12 ATEX 070 X; EAC (TR CU 012/2011) |
For fan builders in the Gulf
Tube motors can be supplied with 60 Hz windings for Saudi Arabia and other 60 Hz networks, and with IP66 sealing for sand, dust and humidity. RAEL also customises Tube motors for fan manufacturers, for example special shafts and flanges. Send us your fan drawing or impeller data and we will propose the motor.
Electrical data
Tube motors use the electrical design of the RL series up to frame 71. RAEL designates them with the prefix TUBE followed by frame, size and poles, for example TUBE 71 B-2.
Three-phase, 400 V / 50 Hz (20 ratings)
| Tube type | Type (frame) | Poles | kW | rpm | In @400V (A) | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUBE 56 A-2 | 56 A | 2 | 0.06 | 2730 | 0.50 | 43% |
| TUBE 56 A-2 | 56 A | 2 | 0.09 | 2730 | 0.53 | 51.5% |
| TUBE 56 B-2 | 56 B | 2 | 0.12 | 2848 | 0.56 | IE2 53.6% |
| TUBE 63 A-2 | 63 A | 2 | 0.12 | 2730 | 0.40 | IE2 53.6% |
| TUBE 63 A-2 | 63 A | 2 | 0.18 | 2850 | 0.50 | IE2 60.4% |
| TUBE 63 B-2 | 63 B | 2 | 0.25 | 2840 | 0.62 | IE2 64.8% |
| TUBE 71 A-2 | 71 A | 2 | 0.37 | 2850 | 0.90 | IE2 69.5% |
| TUBE 71 B-2 | 71 B | 2 | 0.55 | 2810 | 1.50 | IE2 74.1% |
| TUBE 56 A-4 | 56 A | 4 | 0.06 | 1360 | 0.40 | 64% |
| TUBE 56 B-4 | 56 B | 4 | 0.09 | 1360 | 0.45 | 66.5% |
| TUBE 63 A-4 | 63 A | 4 | 0.12 | 1430 | 0.51 | IE2 59.1% |
| TUBE 63 B-4 | 63 B | 4 | 0.18 | 1410 | 0.50 | IE2 64.7% |
| TUBE 71 A-4 | 71 A | 4 | 0.25 | 1415 | 0.80 | IE2 68.5% |
| TUBE 71 B-4 | 71 B | 4 | 0.37 | 1400 | 1.10 | IE2 72.7% |
| TUBE 63 B-6 | 63 B | 6 | 0.12 | 930 | 0.55 | IE2 50.6% |
| TUBE 71 A-6 | 71 A | 6 | 0.18 | 925 | 0.76 | IE2 56.6% |
| TUBE 71 B-6 | 71 B | 6 | 0.25 | 920 | 1.10 | IE2 61.6% |
| TUBE 63 B-8 | 63 B | 8 | 0.06 | 660 | 0.60 | 34% |
| TUBE 71 A-8 | 71 A | 8 | 0.09 | 660 | 0.75 | 38% |
| TUBE 71 B-8 | 71 B | 8 | 0.12 | 640 | 0.90 | IE2 39.8% |
Single-phase, 230 V / 50 Hz (15 ratings)
| Tube type | Type (frame) | Poles | kW | rpm | In @230V (A) | Capacitor (µF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TUBE 56 A-2 | 56 A | 2 | 0.06 | 2710 | 0.80 | 5 |
| TUBE 56 B-2 | 56 B | 2 | 0.09 | 2709 | 0.93 | 3 |
| TUBE 63 A-2 | 63 A | 2 | 0.12 | 2770 | 1.43 | 6.3 |
| TUBE 63 B-2 | 63 B | 2 | 0.18 | 2710 | 2.00 | 6.3 |
| TUBE 71 A-2 | 71 A | 2 | 0.25 | 2785 | 2.20 | 8 |
| TUBE 71 B-2 | 71 B | 2 | 0.37 | 2840 | 2.50 | 12.5 |
| TUBE 56 B-4 | 56 B | 4 | 0.06 | 1285 | 0.88 | 3.75 |
| TUBE 63 A-4 | 63 A | 4 | 0.09 | 1390 | 0.90 | 3.75 |
| TUBE 63 B-4 | 63 B | 4 | 0.12 | 1385 | 1.30 | 6.3 |
| TUBE 71 A-4 | 71 A | 4 | 0.18 | 1390 | 1.75 | 8 |
| TUBE 71 B-4 | 71 B | 4 | 0.25 | 1440 | 1.95 | 8 |
| TUBE 63 A-6 | 63 A | 6 | 0.06 | 890 | 0.80 | 6.3 |
| TUBE 63 B-6 | 63 B | 6 | 0.09 | 902 | 1.52 | 8 |
| TUBE 71 A-6 | 71 A | 6 | 0.12 | 930 | 1.30 | 6.3 |
| TUBE 71 B-6 | 71 B | 6 | 0.18 | 900 | 1.90 | 8 |
Need more power or a larger fan? Use the RAEL RL series with B5 or B14 flange up to frame 160 and 18.5 kW, including two-speed quadratic torque motors for fans.
Dimensions (mm)
| Frame | A | B | H | HD | L | LA | HB | Shaft D × E | Cable entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 90 | 71 | 56 | 112 | 217 | 237 | 108 | 9 × 20 | M20 × 1.5 |
| 63 | 100 | 80 | 63 | 128 | 252 | 275 | 124 | 11 × 23 | M20 × 1.5 |
| 71 | 112 | 90 | 71 | 136 | 245 | 275 | 124 | 14 × 30 | M20 × 1.5 |
| Frame | B5 flange P / N / M | B14 flange P / N / M |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | 120 / 80 / 100 | 76 / 50 / 65 |
| 63 | 140 / 95 / 115 | 90 / 60 / 75 |
| 71 | 160 / 110 / 130 | 105 / 70 / 85 |
B3 mounting. Full dimension drawings are available on request.
Fans for non-hazardous areas? For standard axial and duct fans see the Lafert pad mounting motors (IE3, IE4, IE5) – slim, air-over motors without feet.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between RAEL Tube and RL motors?
- Tube is built on the RL series with the same protection types and electrical data, but has a lower profile and the terminal box at the back, which suits motors mounted inside a fan duct.
- Which frame sizes are available?
- Frames 56, 63 and 71. For larger fans we offer the RL series up to frame 160.
- Can the cable leave the motor in line with the shaft?
- Yes. With the terminal box at the back, the cable output can be in-axis or perpendicular, with or without cable gland.
- Is the Tube motor suitable for hydrogen (IIC)?
- Yes. Tube motors are certified Ex db IIC, which covers hydrogen and acetylene, as well as IIB and IIA gases.
- Can Tube motors be supplied for 60 Hz?
- Yes, 60 Hz windings and special voltages are available on request.
Building ATEX fans for the Middle East?
KJ Export is RAEL's exclusive agent for the Middle East since 2010. We supply fan manufacturers and contractors in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq. Send us your fan data and we will reply with a motor proposal and quotation.
sales@kjexport.comWhatsApp +971 50 269 7191