Atlas Copco PZB15-L-AR500-21 | PZB15 Piston Air Motor — Reversible, Aluminum, NEMA Flange

The NEMA flange build of the PZB15 piston motor, the Atlas Copco PZB15-L-AR500-21 is rated 0.12 kW (0.16 hp) with 3.93 Nm at 297 RPM and 7.8 Nm at stall. Fully reversible, 2.33 kg (5.1 lb), and 25 to 40 percent lower air consumption than vane alternatives.

Performance at a Glance

This piston motor delivers 3.93 Nm at 297 RPM peak output (stall torque: 7.8 Nm). Centrifugal piston technology enables reliable high-torque starting at extremely low speeds — a performance envelope no vane motor can match below 100 RPM. Consumes 25–40% less compressed air than equivalent vane motors.

Technical Specifications

Key Features

• Max Output Power: 0.12 kW (0.16 hp) at 6.3 bar (91 psi) — rated for continuous-duty operation in fixed-plant and automation environments
• Rotation: Fully Reversible—switchable by reversing air connections, no disassembly required
• Lubrication-Free Piston Design: Lubrication-free construction eliminates in-line air oilers and prevents lubricant contamination of your process or product — ideal for food, pharma, and clean manufacturing environments.
• ATEX Zone 1/21 Certified — Approved for hazardous gas and dust atmospheres up to +40°C (104°F) in fixture-mounted use (EU Directive 2014/34/EU). Safe for use in classified areas where electric motors are prohibited.
• Output Shaft — NEMA Flange: Direct integration into existing drive trains, couplings, sprockets, and IEC/NEMA machine interfaces
• Overload Safe: Stalls harmlessly under overload; self-starts when load is removed — no thermal protection, burnout risk, or electronic fault recovery needed
• Infinitely Variable Speed: Regulate output speed and torque via inlet pressure or flow control valve — no electronic drives or VFDs required
• Atlas Copco Quality: Designed and manufactured to ISO 9001 standards; global spare parts and service network with application engineering support

Ideal Applications

• Stop-start high-cycle actuation applications
• Chemical and pharmaceutical dosing equipment
• Drop-in replacement for electric gearmotors in ATEX zones
• Hazardous area installations requiring ATEX Zone 1/21 certified pneumatic drives
• Environments where electric motors present ignition, EMI, or water ingress risks

The PZB piston motor's centrifugal piston design achieves high starting torque at extremely low speeds — a performance profile no vane motor can match below 100 RPM. The fully reversible pneumatic circuit enables bidirectional operation without external flow-switching valves, simplifying installation and reducing component count.

The aluminium housing mates directly to standard IEC and NEMA motor flanges, making drop-in replacement of electric gearmotors straightforward — with all the inherent safety advantages of pneumatic drive in ATEX and explosion-risk zones. A built-in inductive sensor port (M5) enables easy closed-loop speed monitoring.

Part Number: PZB15-L-AR500-21 | EDP: 8411415026 | All data at 6.3 bar (91 psi). For full performance curves and dimensional drawings, see the Atlas Copco 2026 Industrial Air Motor Catalogue.