Why Motor Control Panel (MCP) vs. Motor Control Center (MCC)?

PB-54-Rittal-MCPvsMCC-400.jpg

February 15, 2022

What Is a Motor Control Panel?

In today’s industrial manufacturing space, it’s never one thing. Processes are connected, workflows are unified, and decisions in one arena have ripple effects that can impact an entire industrial ecosystem.

No one knows this better than systems integrators, who are tasked with coming up with new and better industrial automation solutions every day. In order to solve their customers’ challenges, today’s systems integrators need the capacity for streamlined panel building and switchgear manufacturing — and a partner who is one step ahead when it comes to innovative product engineering.

For large engineered industrial processes, power distribution can be very complex. Using a control panel is an efficient solution to include all the starters and motor components required. Each motor was connected separately to a starter, and that starter was individually mounted or contained in a larger control panel. All components are then controlled by the same power source.

What is Traditional Motor Control Center (MCC)?

The Motor Control Center (MCC) came as a solution to the problem of all components being controllled by the same power source. The Motor Control Center utilizes busbars, which the components (starters, contactors, circuit breakers, VFDs and such) are mounted on. The components still share the same source of power but with the use of horizontal and vertical busbars, they are designed in such a way to easily be plugged/unplugged while the machine is working without needing to turn it off — hot swappable feature.

MCC has been the solution for decades; although it requires detailed engineering drawings, MCC has made maintenance very easy for the staff looking after that process. One can disconnect individual starters without turning off the entire machine to fix any issues. The more complicated the process, the more likely an end user will use an MCC.

MCC is usually designed and supplied by electrical manufacturers such as Siemens. In MCC, each starter is fitted into an enclosure, a “bucket”. Each bucket is designed and manufactured based on the engineering drawings and component specifications by the original MCC manufacturer. Thus, scaling an MCC and adding components can be very costly to the end user.

Rittal Motor Control Panel (MCP):

MCP offers the best of both worlds: the efficient component organization of a control panel and the busbar systems utilized in MCC for optimal distribution of current and decreased resistance.

Rittal’s new MCP solution offers many benefits such as Speed of design and build, Customization from standard parts, Flexibility of design, Cost-effective integrated solution, Self-configuration possibility with EPlan, Direct Support from the manufacturer, E.B. Horsman & Son, and more.

Rittal’s MCP is constructed from the world-leading TS 8 range of enclosures offering a totally modular construction. Based on proven TS 8 architecture, the perfect solutions to address motor control, power management and quality control challenges.

Rittal MCP Features:

TS 8 modularity

Constructed and readily extendable from the world-leading TS 8 range of enclosures with infinite possibilities offering excellent modularity and space.

Read More about TS 8 

Mounting panel adjustment

Innovative internal compartment system allows easy and rapid adjustment of mounting the depth of the plates

Compartment choices

Wide choice of compartment sized from 150 mm through to 2200 mm and large cable chambers

Air Circuit Breaker options

ACB can be flush mounted or mounted behind the door in no time

Accessories

Wide range of accessories to cater to every situation and need

Materials

The ability to configure over a wide range of short circuit ratings up to and including 100 kA. With current ratings available up to 3200 amps, the system distributes power safely and reliably, complete with separation up to Form 4 (BS EN 60439-1) so that a well engineered, cost-effective solution is achieved

How can we help you find an MCP Solution?

  •    –   What sets Rittal apart from other industrial automation partners is the capacity to meet these needs reliably and quickly in order to help systems integrators engineer the scalable industrial automation solutions necessary to remain competitive and agile in a crowded marketplace.
  •    –   Don’t worry about rewriting your engineering specs, we’ll take care of that for you. We partner with local system integrators who are experienced in MCP designs to rewrite your drawings.
  •    –   Sourcing your MCP solution from a local distributor gives you access to local stock, faster delivery, and convenient part replacement.

Source

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Converting Waves into Electricity with Automation Solutions by ifm

    Converting Waves into Electricity with Automation Solutions by ifm

    By developing wave energy converters, CorPower pursues the idea of converting waves into electricity. The challenge with wave energy is to design devices that are not only robust enough to survive the harshest ocean storms, but also capable of producing enough electricity compared to their size and cost. CorPower masters this difficulty with devices that are naturally transparent and protected in storms, and which produce about five times more energy per tonne of device than state-of-the-art solutions in the ocean. Read More…

  • ABB Completes Acquisition of Siemens Low Voltage NEMA Motor Business Q2

    ABB Completes Acquisition of Siemens Low Voltage NEMA Motor Business Q2

    ABB has recently announced it has completed its acquisition of the Siemens low voltage NEMA motor business. The transaction was originally announced August 11, 2022, and financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The business employs around 600 people and generated revenues of approximately $63 million in 2021. The acquisition of this business is part of the Motion business area’s profitable growth strategy. It strengthens ABB’s position as an industrial NEMA motor manufacturer, and it provides an even stronger platform from which ABB can better serve its global customers. Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


For a Multiplied Value Unified

PB-62-Excelpro-MultipliedValue-400.jpg

During the last few years, the Excelpro Group has welcomed AIA Automation, Envitech Automation and Conrad Lavoie Electrical, all of which have become ‘Member of the Excelpro Group’.

It was with great excitement that in November of 2022, Excelpro announced that these three companies officially became Excelpro. This decision is part of a strategy to enhance the Excelpro Group’s brand in its market.

These companies already collaborate on various client projects. This merger brings together the complementary strengths of the employees and ensures a global synergy of the activities throughout the Group.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    Efficient Power Supplies – An Investment in the Future

    In the search for a suitable power supply, the costs play a major role, alongside the technical requirements. The focus is often on the initial purchase price, while other potential costs that may be incurred during the operation of the power supply are not taken into consideration. In this blog post, we demonstrate why the decision to purchase a high-quality power supply is a profitable investment for your company, by taking a close look at all the costs involved. Read More…

  • Q&A with HELU: Oil & Gas Instrumentation Cables

    Q&A with HELU: Oil & Gas Instrumentation Cables

    Reliable data transmission is a must, even under the most extreme mechanical and environmental conditions such as those found in the oil and gas industry. Cables must be versatile to perform whether it is on a ship at sea or in a refining plant on land. Instrumentation cables are the backbone to keeping the industry’s sophisticated machines online and operating at peak performance. Regional Sales Manager Andrew Gill answers some of the questions he hears in the field regarding these low-voltage cables. Read More…