Worldwide PE Premium Efficiency Motor - 20 HP, 3600 RPM, 3-Phase, TEFC, 208-230/460V, 256T Frame | Model PEWWE20-36-256T

The Worldwide Electric PE-series 20 HP premium efficiency motor is a NEMA Premium-rated, inverter-duty TEFC workhorse designed for the full range of industrial and commercial applications — from HVAC fans to conveyors, pumps, compressors, and machine tools. Built with a rugged rigid-base construction, Class I Division 2 hazardous-area rating, and cast-iron frame, this motor is the cost-effective choice for Colorado contractors, OEMs, and plant maintenance teams who need reliable performance without paying a premium-brand markup.

This model runs at 3600 RPM — high-speed (2-pole) — compressors, blowers, direct-drive pumps.

Full specifications

Horsepower	20 HP
Speed (Synchronous)	3600 RPM
Voltage	208-230/460V (dual-voltage wound), 60 Hz
Phase	Three-phase
Full Load Amps	23.1 A
Full Load Efficiency	91.0% (NEMA Premium)
NEMA Frame	256T
Enclosure	TEFC (Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled), IP55 protection
Mounting	Rigid base (foot-mount)
Service Factor	1.25
Insulation Class	Class F
Inverter Duty	10:1 constant torque / 20:1 variable torque (1-400 HP)
Hazardous Area Rating	Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, D (1-400 HP)
Approximate Weight	297 lbs

Why the PE series earns its place in Colorado pump houses, HVAC mechanical rooms, and production floors

• NEMA Premium Efficiency — meets federal EISA/DOE 2016 regulations; qualifies for Xcel Energy rebates in many Colorado commercial retrofits
• Inverter duty rated (10:1 CT, 20:1 VT) — pairs cleanly with Worldwide WDN750E and other VFDs without derating or de-rating concerns in standard ranges
• Class I, Division 2 hazardous area rated (1-400 HP) — approved for installation in gas/vapor areas common in chemical, oil & gas, paint/coating, and agricultural operations
• 1.25 service factor — headroom for voltage sag, brownouts, and intermittent overloads that plague rural Colorado utility feeds
• Class F insulation + TEFC enclosure — handles dusty aggregate environments, wet cooling tower installations, and the temperature swings of unconditioned mechanical rooms
• Cast-iron frame and bearing housings — outlasts rolled-steel motors in vibration-heavy applications like positive-displacement pumps and reciprocating compressors
• IP55 ingress protection — dust-tight, protected against low-pressure water jets — reliable in food processing, dairies, and outdoor industrial installations

Typical applications

• Centrifugal and positive-displacement pumps (HVAC, water/wastewater, process, chemical transfer)
• Belt-driven and direct-coupled fans and blowers
• Conveyors (belt, roller, bucket elevator) in manufacturing, aggregate, and agriculture
• Reciprocating and rotary compressors — shop air, process gas, refrigeration
• Mixers, agitators, and blenders in food processing and chemical industries
• Machine tools, presses, and general-purpose OEM applications
• HVAC air handlers, cooling tower fans, and chilled water pumps in commercial buildings

Direct replacement for these competitor motors

The PE series is a dimensional and functional equivalent to standard NEMA premium motors from every major brand. If you're replacing an existing motor, match the HP, RPM, frame, and shaft configuration — mounting and shaft will drop in identically. Common equivalents include:

• Baldor-Reliance — CEM, EM, and Super-E series premium efficiency motors
• WEG — W22, IE3, and IE4 premium efficiency lines
• U.S. Motors (Nidec) — Unimount, Corro-Duty Premium, and U-Line premium efficiency
• Marathon — GlobeTrotter, Black Max, and 841 Plus premium motors
• Siemens — Simotics GP and SD premium efficiency
• ABB / TECO-Westinghouse — standard premium efficiency industrial lines

Colorado altitude sizing considerations

TEFC motor ratings assume sea-level ambient conditions. At Colorado elevations, cooling air is thinner and the motor dissipates heat less effectively, which reduces continuous-duty capacity:

• Denver Metro / Front Range (~5,280 ft): Approximately 3-4% continuous capacity derating — size one HP step up for heavily-loaded continuous-duty applications
• Colorado Springs to Fort Collins (5,000-6,000 ft): Similar derating as Denver; check load profile for sizing margin
• Mountain West (7,000+ ft): 8-10% derating typical; size two HP steps up and verify enclosure ventilation
• Short-duty/intermittent applications: Service factor absorbs most altitude impact; standard nameplate HP usually sufficient

The PE series 1.25 service factor provides margin for altitude, but for 24/7 continuous duty (irrigation pumps, process compressors, HVAC chilled water pumps), sizing conservatively avoids premature failure. Call (303) 939-8643 with your elevation and load details — we'll confirm the right HP.

Comparable 20 HP motors in our catalog

The Worldwide PE is our value-focused choice at this HP and speed. If you need a specific brand or have OEM specifications to match, we also stock these equivalents:

• Weg — WEG AC Motor - 20 HP, 3600 RPM, 254T Frame, Three Phase, 230/460V, ODP (20 HP, 3600 RPM) — $1882.00

Not sure which motor fits your application? Call (303) 939-8643 with your nameplate specs and load type — we'll match the right motor to your job.

What Colorado Electric Motors Depot offers on every motor order

• Free sizing and cross-reference assistance — we cross-reference Baldor, WEG, US Motors, Marathon, Siemens, and ABB model numbers to the correct Worldwide PE equivalent daily
• Same-day shipping on stocked units from multiple nationwide distribution centers
• Colorado-local support — we know the Front Range inspectors, the Eastern Plains agricultural market, and the mountain-town utility quirks
• VFD pairing guidance — need to add a drive? Our Worldwide WDN750E VFD lineup is inverter-duty matched to this motor
• Installation and start-up support — phone/email technical support included with every motor

Shipping note: Motors over 250 lbs are palletized and ship LTL freight with lift-gate service to most Colorado locations. Standard ground shipping applies to smaller units.