Why use a Motor Control Centre?
The role of a basic Motor Control Centre (MCC) is to provide a compact, modular grouping for motor control and electrical distribution components. Think of an MCC as a filing cabinet, with drawers full of combination starters, lighting contactors, and other electrical distribution and control products. Historically, MCC units were electromechanical, with basic functions that included a power switching device, short-circuit and overload protection, local and remote actuation, and controller state indication.
Benefits of an MCC
- MCCs provide a single source for coordination of components. Electrical distribution and motor control equipment can be purchased as a pre-assembled, pre-tested system—usually at a less expensive installed cost when compared to separately mounted controls.
- MCCs require significantly less line-side power wiring than separate controls, which makes them easier to install.
- MCCs come in space-efficient packaging, with excellent configuration flexibility. They also centralise maintenance.
- MCCs offer excellent fault containment and electrical component isolation.
MCCs are used in applications where there are multiple, remotely controlled loads linked to a central control point. In industrial plant applications, the central control point is usually an environmental control system, with HVAC, pump, and fan loads. Industrial process applications include many load types, such as conveyors, pumps, fans, and mixers. These loads often require coordinated control and can be the source of important process or machine diagnostic information. Distributed control systems (DCSs) or PLCs normally are used to provide this control and data acquisition functionality.
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