A Brief Introduction to Motor Control Centers

It’s been a little while since we’ve written an overview post highlighting one of our main product categories. We’ve covered a few different topics in the past — such as our introduction to bus plugs post — to highlight and provide some general information about the products and lines that EMSCO carries. In this latest post, we’ll be covering the basics of Motor Control Centers.

BASICS OF MOTOR CONTROL CENTERS (MCC)

Motor control centers, at their most basic, contain a series of buckets housed in a larger structure. In industrial and manufacturing settings where electric motors are used, there needs to be a system to control such motors. That is where the motor control center comes in.

HOW THEY WORK

Feeder buckets are what power and control the electric motors. Generally, a single bucket controls a single motor. With most industrial processes using many electric motors, multiple buckets will be required to control the system. The structure, simply, is the vertical housing to hold and control all of the feeder buckets in one convenient central location.

The buckets inside the structure come in multiple sizes and configurations. For example, the buckets may either be fused or circuit breakers. The buckets themselves are also fully removable from the structure allowing flexibility for the electric system to adapt to changes in the industrial systems. For example, if additional motors are added or removed, additional buckets can simply be added or removed from the structure or swapped out for the correct components to be installed.

NEED PARTS?

Looking to replace, upgrade, or install a new MCC system? Look no further. We have hundreds of vertical sections of motor control centers ranging from 400 amperes all the way to 3000 amperes, with main or main lug compartments. We have extensive stock in all the major brands including Square D, GE, Allen Bradley and much more. With thousands of buckets in stock in both fusible and breaker styles, from sizes 0-6, single and twin feeder buckets, EMSCO is sure to have what you need!

ABOUT EMSCO

Since 1948, Electric Motor Supply Co. — EMSCO — is a leading dealer of used and refurbished industrial electrical systems and components. Our extensive inventory, housed in our 250,000 square foot warehouse in Minneapolis, MN, is sure to have the exact part you need. From over 25 miles of bus duct, thousands of bus plugs, to all kinds of transformers, circuit breakers and beyond, our experts will be happy to work with you with any of your electrical requirements.