WEG combines rugged motor engineering with intelligent monitoring to boost reliability and efficiency in wastewater applications.
WEG is known for pushing the envelope when it comes to technology research and adoption in the motor industry.
The company has become a pioneer of developing solutions that solve critical conundrums, working with OEMs and end users to crack the code, so to speak, of pressing pain points.
This has seen WEG establish a wide-ranging portfolio of electric motors and associated equipment, including low- to medium-voltage variable speed drives (VSDs), soft starters, generators, transformers and condition monitoring equipment.
“We supply these products and devices to many different industries both locally and abroad, including water and wastewater,” WEG Australia national product manager – LV drives and soft starters Shaun Kerr told Pump Industry.
“As a multinational company, we collaborate with pump and machinery OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and place our motors and motor control products within their solutions.
“They can then provide a turnkey solution to the market.”
WEG has been at the forefront of deploying condition monitoring into industry, empowering customers to have a more immediate and detailed understanding of their operation.
As Kerr explained, this has become an effective preventive maintenance tool.
“Sensors placed on equipment, which could be the motor itself, the couplings, the pump or the drive, collect data to then be stored and analysed through WEG’s Motion Fleet Management (MFM) platform,” he said.
“This can alert a user as to any operational issues that might be occurring, enabling them to proactively remedy those concerns rather than wait for something to break down.”
Kerr said WEG separates itself through its ability to not only provide the condition monitoring equipment but also supply the software smarts to analyse the data.
“The way we package it is fairly unique,” he said. “While other solutions require a specialist to interpret the results, our personnel and software package does that for you.”
Through WEG MFM, customers can monitor the performance of assets such as electric motors, VSDs, soft-starters, gearboxes, and compressors, among other equipment, in real time.
“You can set trigger points and MFM will spit out alerts or recommendations, whether an end user needs to address a lubrication issue or a bearing fault, for example,” Kerr said.
“The end user can choose to monitor this themselves, or WEG can offer this as a service, where we monitor asset performance and provide regular reports.”
WEG’s condition monitoring solutions not only anticipate failures before they occur, limiting costly downtime in the process, they also present productivity opportunities, enabling end users to make faster decisions and increase the availability of their pump fleet, reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO).
As Kerr attests, WEG motor solutions “really come into their own” when customers see the uptime, maintenance and TCO opportunities that are possible from a customised offering.
Wastewater protection
For wastewater pumping applications, where motors face harsh, humid and corrosive conditions, condition monitoring can help detect misalignment, imbalance, or bearing wear caused by solids ingress.
Variances in motor temperature can be detected, potentially caused by overloading, poor ventilation, or insulation degradation. Electrical anomalies can also be monitored before causing trips.
While anticipating operational challenges through condition monitoring is empowering, WEG also ensures its motor equipment has the durability to operate in hostile conditions.
“WEG motors are designed to be robust, with built-in corrosion protection through our extensive range of industrial coating options,” Kerr said. “Depending on what environment a customer faces, we can apply the right coating to match.”
Courtesy of WEGs internal paint division, motors can be supplied with paint systems ranging from C1 (indoors) to C5, which is commonly used in chemical and wastewater applications.
This is backed by the precision engineering that goes into each WEG motor, with cast iron and aluminium housings built to resist vibration and corrosion.
High ingress protection (IP) ratings, including IP55 and IP66, protect against water spray, high humidity and dust ingress, while double-sealed bearings and enhanced shaft seals make for even more durable motor solutions.
Efficiency is king
WEG also understands the importance of providing a range of efficiency options, with IE3, IE4, IE5 and IE6 technologies on offer to OEMs and end users.
Different applications call for different efficiency requirements, and selection can also come down to a customer’s specific goals regarding energy use and sustainability, with the higher efficiencies delivering improved environmental outcomes.
As WEG embarks on 2026, the company will continue to refine its portfolio to deliver increased digital smarts and higher energy efficiency.
“We have new motor and VSD technologies set for release next year to boost asset performance,” Kerr said. “This includes VSDs to specifically support IE5 and IE6 permanent magnet motors, which require a special algorithm in the drive.”
As these developments enter the fray, WEG will continue to convey the importance of preventive maintenance to its customers.
“Customers can achieve significant wins by harnessing digitalisation to reduce reactive maintenance, reduce downtime and maximise plant uptime, so we’ll continue to support our customers in accessing these solutions,” Kerr said.
For more information, visit weg.net
This feature appeared in the Summer 2025/26 edition of Pump Industry.
