Low Voltage Motor Control Centers

Low voltage motor control centers (LV MCC) are an assembly of one or more enclosed sections having a common power bus and principally containing motor control units.  These motor control units include motor starters, branch feeder devices, variable frequency drives, relays, circuit breakers, fuses, programmable logic controllers, pilot devices, and meters.  LV MCCs provide the most suitable method for grouping electrical motor control, automation, and power distribution in a compact and economic package. 

The LV MCC market has remained recession-proof as many organizations recognize the value of a centralized automation and MCC infrastructure that can support the ability to manage operations more efficiently.    

While a recession or slowdown will often curtail investments in capacity expansion, it generally does not deter the impetus to better manage production costs and increase workforce safety.  Measurable productivity improvement is a key driver for investments in MCC technology as it allows the management to forgo large capital expansion efforts.

The adoption of LV MCCs has shown strong growth in the past few years. The major drivers of adoption were: increasing demand for more electricity, a growing need for new and upgraded infrastructure, need for productivity improvement, safety of the workforce and the plant, government initiatives for saving energy across all regions, as well as better control of machines with the latest intelligent MCC technologies.

Low Voltage Motor Control Centers Strategic Issues

As with any mission-critical technology, it is key for industrial organizations to make informed, fact-based supplier and technology selection decisions for LV MCCs based on their specific applications and requirements.  This ARC selection guide explores user objectives, application scope, selection criteria, and helps answer key questions, such as: 

• Who are the key LV MCC suppliers?
• Which suppliers have success in your region?
• What are the most common selection criteria for LV MCCs?
• What are the new technology trends and how does the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) impact the LV MCC market and selection process?