YAKK vs. YAKS High-Voltage Increased-Safety Motors: Differences, Cooling Methods & Selection Guide

High-voltage electric motors are essential for operating large industrial equipment, particularly in oil and gas, petrochemical processing, power generation, and heavy manufacturing facilities. Where potentially explosive gas atmospheres may occur, selecting a motor requires more than matching power output and voltage.

YAKK and YAKS series high-voltage increased-safety three-phase asynchronous motors are designed for industrial applications requiring suitable explosion-protection measures, including appropriately specified Zone 2 installations.

The main practical difference between conventional YAKK and YAKS configurations is typically their cooling arrangement: YAKK commonly uses air-to-air cooling, while YAKS commonly uses air-to-water cooling.

This guide explains their technical characteristics, cooling methods, hazardous-area requirements, typical applications, and the key factors to consider before purchasing.

What Are YAKK and YAKS High-Voltage Motors?

YAKK and YAKS motors are high-voltage, three-phase induction motors designed to drive heavy-duty industrial equipment in demanding operating environments.

Unlike ordinary industrial motors, increased-safety motors incorporate protection measures intended to reduce ignition risks associated with excessive temperatures, electrical arcing, or sparking under the conditions covered by their protection design.

These motors are commonly considered for applications involving industrial pumps, compressors, fans, and other large mechanical loads.

Shenzhen Smart IJ Technology Co., Ltd. offers YAKK and YAKS increased-safety motor solutions with the following published series-level ranges:

Important: These are published product-family ranges, not the confirmed specifications of every individual model. Available ratings, certified protection characteristics, and installation requirements must be verified for the selected motor configuration.

View Smart IJ YAKK and YAKS Motor Specifications

What Is the Difference Between YAKK and YAKS Motors?

Although both series use high-voltage induction motor technology, their conventional cooling arrangements differ.

These configurations are commonly described in manufacturer technical literature. Exact cooling arrangements and available options depend on the specific product design.

YAKK Series: Air-to-Air Cooling

YAKK motors commonly use an IC611 cooling configuration.

In this arrangement, heat from the internal motor cooling circuit is transferred to an external air circuit through an air-to-air heat exchanger.

This design can be suitable for facilities where sufficient cooling airflow is available and an industrial cooling-water system is not required.

When evaluating an air-cooled motor, engineers should consider ambient temperature, installation clearances, ventilation conditions, heat-exchanger maintenance, and potential dust accumulation.

YAKS Series: Air-to-Water Cooling

YAKS motors commonly use an IC81W cooling configuration.

In this arrangement, an air-to-water heat exchanger removes heat from the motor's internal cooling circuit using an external cooling-water supply.

Water-cooled motors may be attractive for installations with established cooling-water infrastructure or where ambient-air cooling presents practical limitations.

However, the cooling-water flow rate, inlet temperature, water quality, pressure, and maintenance requirements must be considered during engineering design.

The correct choice between YAKK and YAKS depends on site utilities, thermal requirements, installation constraints, and the manufacturer's confirmed motor configuration—not simply the series designation.

How Does Increased-Safety Motor Protection Work?

Increased-safety protection is a recognized protection concept for electrical equipment used in explosive gas atmospheres.

IEC 60079-7 addresses the design, construction, testing, and marking requirements for equipment using increased-safety protection.

Under the standard, two relevant protection levels are Ex eb and Ex ec. These correspond to different equipment protection levels and technical requirements.

For example, Ex ec is associated with Equipment Protection Level (EPL) Gc, which is commonly applicable to appropriately classified Zone 2 gas-hazardous areas.

Increased-safety motor design may involve measures addressing temperature rise, electrical insulation, terminal connections, mechanical clearances, and possible ignition sources.

Are YAKK and YAKS Motors Suitable for Zone 2?

YAKK and YAKS motors are available in designs intended for hazardous-area applications, including Zone 2.

However, the motor series name alone does not establish hazardous-area suitability.

Before installation, the purchaser should verify the selected motor's explosion-protection marking, equipment protection level, gas group, temperature class, applicable certificate, and any special conditions of use.

Requirements may also differ according to the destination country's electrical and hazardous-area regulations.

A motor should never be assumed suitable for a hazardous location solely because it is marketed as an explosion-proof or increased-safety product.

Where Are YAKK and YAKS Motors Used?

High-voltage increased-safety motors can support a wide range of industrial drive applications, provided their electrical, mechanical, and hazardous-area specifications meet the installation requirements.

Oil and Gas Facilities

In oil and gas processing facilities, high-voltage motors may drive compressors, circulation pumps, ventilation equipment, and other process machinery.

Motor selection must account for operating duty, hazardous-area classification, load characteristics, and site-specific safety requirements.

Petrochemical and Chemical Processing

Chemical processing plants often require reliable motor-driven systems for fluid transfer, compression, cooling, and ventilation.

For these applications, engineers commonly evaluate continuous-duty performance, temperature management, protection requirements, and maintenance accessibility.

Power Generation

Power facilities use large electric motors for auxiliary pumps, fans, and other plant equipment.

Motor voltage, starting performance, operational reliability, and compatibility with existing electrical infrastructure are important selection factors.

Metallurgy and Heavy Industry

Large industrial drives may operate continuously under demanding mechanical and environmental conditions.

Suitable motor selection requires attention to torque demand, load inertia, vibration, cooling arrangements, and maintenance requirements.

How to Select the Right High-Voltage Motor

Selecting a high-voltage increased-safety motor requires a review of the complete electrical and mechanical system.

1. Confirm the Rated Voltage and Frequency

The motor's rated voltage must match the facility's electrical supply and engineering requirements.

Smart IJ lists a product-family voltage range of 3–13.8 kV, but the available voltage and frequency combinations for a specific model should be confirmed.

2. Determine the Required Output Power

The selected power rating must account for the driven equipment's operating requirements.

For pumps and fans, engineers should consider the operating curve and duty point. For compressors and other high-inertia loads, starting torque and acceleration requirements may be especially important.

3. Evaluate the Cooling System

Choose the cooling configuration based on the installation's thermal conditions and available utilities.

Air-to-air cooling requires adequate heat rejection to ambient air. Air-to-water cooling requires a suitable water supply and heat-exchanger arrangement.

4. Verify Hazardous-Area Requirements

Confirm the area's zone classification and the applicable gas group, temperature class, and equipment protection level.

Request the exact explosion-protection marking and model-specific certification documents before finalizing the purchase.

5. Check Mechanical and Installation Requirements

Important details include mounting arrangement, shaft dimensions, frame size, coupling configuration, enclosure protection, bearing arrangement, and available installation space.

For replacement projects, existing motor drawings and nameplate information are particularly valuable.

6. Review Operation and Maintenance Conditions

Consider the expected operating hours, starting frequency, ambient temperature, site altitude, dust, humidity, corrosion exposure, and planned maintenance practices.

These conditions can affect both motor configuration and long-term performance.

High-Voltage Motor Procurement Checklist

Before requesting a quotation, prepare the following information:

Providing this information helps the supplier assess technical compatibility and prepare an accurate quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions About YAKK and YAKS Motors

What is the main difference between YAKK and YAKS motors?

The primary difference in conventional configurations is the cooling arrangement. YAKK commonly uses IC611 air-to-air cooling, while YAKS commonly uses IC81W air-to-water cooling. The exact motor specifications depend on the manufacturer and selected configuration.

Are YAKK and YAKS motors explosion-proof?

They belong to product families developed for increased-safety explosion-protection applications. However, increased safety is not the same protection concept as a flameproof enclosure. Buyers must verify the exact protection marking and certification of the motor being supplied.

Can YAKK and YAKS motors operate in Zone 2?

Suitable models may be used in Zone 2 gas-hazardous installations when their certified protection characteristics and installation conditions meet the applicable requirements. The selected model's documentation must be checked before installation.

What voltage ranges are available?

Smart IJ publishes a voltage range of 3–13.8 kV for its YAKK and YAKS product family. The available voltage options for a particular rating and protection configuration require confirmation.

Is an IC611 motor better than an IC81W motor?

Neither method is universally better. IC611 can be practical where ambient-air cooling is suitable, while IC81W may be preferred when reliable cooling water is available. The final selection depends on thermal design, site utilities, maintenance, and operating conditions.

Can YAKK and YAKS motors be customized?

Smart IJ states that special voltage, enclosure protection, and cooling configurations can be discussed according to project requirements. All proposed configurations remain subject to technical review and any applicable certification requirements.

What documents should buyers request?

Buyers should request model-specific technical datasheets, motor performance information, dimensional drawings, nameplate details, and applicable hazardous-area certification documents. Additional testing and inspection documents should be agreed upon before ordering.

YAKK and YAKS Motor Solutions from Smart IJ

Shenzhen Smart IJ Technology Co., Ltd. supplies industrial motor solutions covering high-voltage motors, explosion-protected motors, and other specialized applications.

For projects requiring YAKK or YAKS high-voltage increased-safety motors, Smart IJ can review submitted operating requirements and discuss suitable motor configurations.

The objective is to match the motor's electrical performance, cooling arrangement, mechanical installation, and required protection characteristics to the customer's project.

Request a Technical Proposal or Quotation

If you are planning a new installation, replacing an existing high-voltage motor, or evaluating alternatives for industrial equipment, contact Smart IJ with your technical specifications.

Product: High-Voltage YAKK and YAKS Series Motors

Company: Shenzhen Smart IJ Technology Co., Ltd.

Website: https://ijsmart-tech.com/

Contact: Get in Touch with Smart IJ

Our team can review your specifications and discuss configuration, documentation, and quotation requirements for your project.

Technical References

• IEC 60079-7: Explosive atmospheres — Equipment protection by increased safety "e".
• IEC 60034-6: Rotating electrical machines — Methods of cooling (IC Code).
• Smart IJ YAKK and YAKS High-Voltage Motor Product Information