A motor control centre (MCC) is a factory-assembled switchboard that groups the starters, protection and control gear for many motors in one organised enclosure. Plants, pumping stations, HVAC rooms and process lines use MCCs to start, stop and protect motors from a single, safe point.
What is inside an MCC?
An MCC is built from vertical sections, each divided into compartments (buckets or drawers). Typical contents:
- Main busbars that carry power across all sections.
- Motor starters: direct-on-line, star-delta, soft starters or variable frequency drives (VFDs).
- Protection devices: circuit breakers, motor protection relays, overload relays and fuses.
- Control and monitoring: pilot lights, push buttons, PLC or communication interfaces, metering.
- Enclosure and segregation: the form of separation between busbars, functional units and terminals.
MCC vs a motor control panel
A single motor control panel normally serves one motor or one machine. An MCC serves many motors, uses standardised withdrawable or fixed units, and is easier to extend and maintain. For one or two motors a dedicated panel is usually enough; for a plant with many feeders an MCC is the better structure.
What to specify before ordering
- Number of motors, their ratings (kW), voltage and starting method.
- Fault level (kA) and the incoming supply.
- Fixed or withdrawable units, and required form of internal separation.
- Ingress protection (IP rating) and site conditions: heat, dust, humidity.
- Communication and automation needs (PLC, SCADA, fieldbus).
- Applicable standards and documentation required by the project.
Soft starter or VFD inside the MCC?
The choice depends on whether you need speed control or only a smooth start. See our guide Soft starter vs VFD: how to choose.
Related services
Need help specifying an MCC for a project in Saudi Arabia? Contact Arab Arc Trading with your motor list and we will advise on the options.
