ABB’s Global NEMA Motor Delivers Performance and Efficiency to Meet the Needs of Industrial Applications Worldwide
August 11, 2025
• 1–20 Hp (0.75–15 kW) power range
• Dual-rated 50/60 Hz frequency
• NEMA Premium® efficiency (IE3)
OEMs and facility managers can simplify operations and cut costs with ABB’s globally compatible Baldor-Reliance GNEM (Global NEMA) motor.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that HVACR systems account for as much as 40% of energy use in commercial buildings, with space heating, cooling and ventilation driving most of the consumption. This makes energy efficiency a top priority for facility managers and OEMs alike. ABB, a NEMA motor manufacturer, engineered the Baldor-Reliance GNEM motor solution to answer this need. The Baldor-Reliance GNEM motor is engineered to meet the diverse needs of industrial applications worldwide. These motors offer a unique combination of global compatibility, energy efficiency and robust construction, making them an ideal choice for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end users operating across international markets.
“ABB recognized that facility teams around the world needed a smarter approach to managing HVACR systems and general-purpose applications, so our team engineered the Baldor-Reliance GNEM motor to meet this demand,” said Bevan Christiansen, Global Segment Manager-Air Handling, ABB. “By unifying multiple applications into one global platform, GNEM provides a larger return on investment for OEMs and facility managers.”
The GNEM motor is a high-performance, durable solution optimized for variable speed drive applications. With dual frequency support and a broad tri-voltage range, it operates seamlessly across a wide range of configurations without modifications. The motor supports NEMA frame sizes from 56 to 286T, covering broad system requirements, enabling users to simplify their inventory with a universal solution that meets diverse operational re-quirements across global markets. Available in rugged rolled steel or durable cast-iron frames, and with a choice of ODP (IP22) or TEFC (IP44) enclosures, GNEM motors offer flexibility, reliability and long service life.
Key features include:
- Global compatibility: Designed to operate seamlessly on both 50 Hz and 60 Hz power supplies, GNEM motors support tri-voltage configurations (208–230/460V at 60 Hz and 190/380V at 50 Hz), ensuring adaptability across diverse regions and power systems
- Wide power range: Available in power ratings from 1 to 20 horsepower, covering NEMA frame sizes 56 through 286T, to suit a broad spectrum of industrial applications.
- Construction options: Offered in both open drip proof (ODP) (IP22) and totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) (IP44) enclosures, in general purpose or HVACR (shaft grounded) configurations, with rugged cast iron frames built to withstand demanding operating conditions
- Energy efficiency: Compliant with global Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) including NEMA Premium efficiency (IE3), ensuring energy savings, lower operating costs and environmental compliance in both domestic and international markets
- Inverter ready: GNEM motors are designed for use with variable speed drives, and HVACR models are available with a factory-installed shaft grounding brush to help mitigate bearing currents and extend motor life under inverter-duty operation
- Certifications: CE, CSA and UL Recognized (UR) certifications support global acceptance and ensure compliance with key safety and regulatory standards
Its universal design reduces the number of stock-keeping units (SKUs) needed by supporting a wide range of applications under a single part number. This simplifies maintenance, speeds repair periods, increases uptime and streamlines sourcing, allowing facilities to reduce both cost and complexity.
Learn more about how ABB’s GNEM can simplify operations:
- GNEM general-purpose enclosed motors
- GNEM general-purpose open motors
- GNEM HVACR shaft-grounded enclosed motors
- GNEM HVACR shaft-grounded open motors
ABB Motion, a global leader in motors and drives, is at the core of accelerating a more productive and sustainable future. We innovate and push the boundaries of technology to contribute to energy efficient, decarbonizing and circular solutions for customers, industries and societies. With our digitally enabled drives, motors and services we support our customers and partners to achieve better performance, safety and reliability. To help the world’s industries outrun – leaner and cleaner, we deliver motor-driven solutions for a wide range of applications in all industrial segments. Building on over 140 years of domain expertise in electric powertrains, our more than 22,000 employees across 100 countries learn and improve every day. new.abb.com/motion
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
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