Why Motor Control Panel (MCP) vs. Motor Control Center (MCC)? Rittal Sheds Some Light On This Question

February 23, 2022

DCS Rittal Why Motor Control Panel vs Motor Control Centre 1 400

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.

Put to the Ultimate Test – Part 1: Torsion Tests by HELUKABEL

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Cables and wires in industrial robots and other moving machine parts are often required to withstand extreme stresses caused by torsion. Constant repetitive movements put materials under considerable strain. At the same time, operators expect components to function perfectly and reliably throughout their entire service life to avoid disruptions, outages and safety hazards.

For this reason, at HELUKABEL, we simulate intensive and continuous torsion stresses under realistic conditions with our high-tech testing equipment in Windsbach. We have several types of apparatus for doing this because some of our customers, for example those in the automotive industry, have very precise specifications for how a torsion test is carried out. The tests show that our cables and wires withstand speeds up to 1,000°/s, accelerations up to 2,000°/s² and torsion angles up to 720°. Hence, we make sure that each product always meets our customers’ high standards, and that they receive the impeccable quality they rightly expect from us as a leading supplier of cables, wires and accessories for more than 40 years.

What Is Torsion?

To learn the answer, click here

30 Minute Live Webinar 2:30 PM ET January 19th, 2023

With PC-based automation, you can implement applications and solutions that far exceed the functions of a classic controller. SIMATIC PC-based products offer you a flexible, innovative platform with long-term availability that give you a home field advantage when meeting the challenges of the digital factory for your machines and plants.

Festo Didactic at the Forefront of Developing Canada’s Future Work Force

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With Canadian manufacturing suffering from a growing labour shortage, the participation of industry in skills development is emerging as a vital component in hiring and retention.

The needs are stark: The Canadian Exporters and Manufacturers Association says almost 40% of its members have jobs they can’t fill. Five years from now, 60% expect to be short-staffed, especially when it comes to skilled trades. Statistics Canada forecasts the country’s labour force growth rate will remain below 0.2% for the rest of the decade, below replacement levels.

This growing shortage is affecting companies of all sizes. Already, some manufacturers acknowledge losing out on contracts because they can’t find the manpower to fulfill them.

In reality, the challenge is two-fold: to replenish and expand the workforce to help close the gap between the number of job seekers and vacancies through 2030 when the last baby boomers reach age 65, and ensure workers get opportunities throughout their careers to upgrade or add to their skillset as current technologies evolve and new ones emerge. Festo, through Festo Didactic, one of the world leading provider of equipment and solutions for technical education, intends to help Canada meet this challenge on both fronts. In essence, the approach Festo has always taken is that the learning never stops.

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