First: a 'high-voltage motor' is a family, not a single model
When buyers search for a high-voltage motor they see codes like Y, YK, YR, YKK and YKS and get confused. They are all 3/6/10 kV asynchronous motors; the difference is rotor construction and cooling method. Selecting one is not about power first - it is about structure and cooling.
| Series | Rotor | Cooling | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y HV | Squirrel cage | Air | Fans, pumps and general loads |
| YKK | Squirrel cage | Box-frame air | Continuous heavy duty, easy maintenance |
| YR (wound rotor) | Wound | Air | Hard starting, high starting torque |
| YKS | Squirrel cage | Air-water | Large power, efficient heat removal |
| YRKK | Wound | Box-frame | Heavy load, severe starting |
Decide the rotor: squirrel cage or wound
The squirrel-cage rotor (Y/YKK/YKS) is simple and low-maintenance and suits most general loads. The wound rotor (YR/YRKK) can limit starting current and boost starting torque with external rotor resistance, so it suits heavy starts or a weak supply - but it is more complex and costlier to maintain.
Rule of thumb: hard starting, frequent reversing, or a tight supply → choose wound rotor; otherwise squirrel cage is enough.
Decide the cooling: air or air-water
Air-cooled (IC611/IC616 etc.) is simple and needs no water system - first choice for small and medium power. Air-water cooled (YKS) uses circulating water to remove heat, giving higher power density and lower noise, ideal for large power, limited space, or high ambient temperature - but it needs cooling water and piping and is more complex to maintain.
Set power and voltage from the duty
Provide: ①load power (kW) ②voltage (3/6/10 kV) ③speed (poles) ④duty (continuous/S1, S5 etc.) ⑤starting method (DOL / soft start / VFD). Voltage depends on the on-site supply, speed on the driven machine.
| Voltage | Typical power band | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kV | Medium | Common in older installations |
| 6 kV | Large | Most common HV level in China |
| 10 kV | Large | Energy-saving over long runs |
Wangpai high-voltage range
Wangpai HV asynchronous motors cover 185~5000 kW, including Y HV, Y2 cast-iron HV, YKK, YR, YRKK and YKS, with soft-start / VFD options.
High-voltage motor FAQs
Is a high-voltage motor always better than a low-voltage one? No. HV saves on cable / switchgear, not on energy; forcing HV at low power just costs more.
How to decide HV vs LV? Roughly 315 kW and above, or long cable runs, favour HV; below ~200 kW LV is cheaper. See HV vs standard comparison.
What do I need to provide for a quote? Power, voltage, speed, duty and whether the start is hard; we will pick the series and frame.
Can an HV motor run on a VFD? Yes, but it needs an HV VFD or careful selection - please state it upfront.
Can Wangpai supply custom voltage? Yes, multiple voltages and cooling options are available - ask us for a quote.