One of the most common problems in manufacturing is an uncontrolled arc flash. If an uncontrolled arc flash occurs in a motor control center (MCC), it leads to downtime, costs, and, most importantly, injuries to employees.
Time is money, and production downtime can have a catastrophic impact on profits. So what can you do to improve the safety of your MCCs?
Here are three safety design criteria that the Allen-Bradley CENTERLINE 2100 has:
- Power Busbar Design : The design of the horizontal power busbar and its location in the MCC can have significant safety implications. The horizontal busbar in the CENTERLINE® MCC is located at the rear of the MCC in the vertical center. Automatic shutters immediately isolate the vertical busbar when the unit is removed, minimizing potential exposure to the live busbar. A robust, maintenance-free design reduces the likelihood of hot spots or failures. In the CENTERLINE MCC, the horizontal busbars are fully supported rather than point-mounted. To ensure additional design safety, CENTERLINE MCCs come with an insulated horizontal busbar. This helps protect the busbar and prevent arcing from tools, animals, dust, or other unexpected hazards.
- Power Disconnect with Door Closed : The ability to disconnect or connect power to a separate pluggable MCC unit without opening the cabinet door minimizes the risk of electric shock. With SecureConnect™ technology, available for the CENTERLINE MCC, a multi-point verification system ensures power is disconnected before opening the cabinet door. This allows for safer work or unit removal without shutting down the entire system. Unlike traditional racking systems, disconnecting a unit with SecureConnect technology is quick and easy. Because this movement is faster than with a racking system, the risk of arcing faults when connecting or disconnecting power cables is reduced.
- Arc Fault Localization Solution : Any supplier claiming to have an arc fault protected motor control center must:
- Provide a third-party test certificate confirming results at a specified voltage, available current, and duration. Be sure to request the relevant safety data sheets before purchasing.
- Conduct tests in several locations within the control system (blocks, busbar compartments, cable ducts, etc.). Some manufacturers conduct tests only in vertical busbar locations, which is one of the easiest locations to test.
- Complies with full IEC/TR 61641 for IEC installations or IEEE C37.20.7 for NEMA installations.
CENTERLINE 2100 Engine Control Center
Allen-Bradley motor control centers from Rockwell Automation deliver smarter, safer, and more reliable solutions.
- High short-circuit withstand capability in type-tested enclosure
- Continuous fastening of the power bars ensures uniform support
- Built with durable components for backward compatibility
- The center busbar design improves heat dissipation, while a reliable grounding system helps reduce the risk of electric shock.
- Easily integrates functional safety solutions for PowerFlex 755 and 753 VFDs that include SISTEMA files and simplify the design and packaging of safety systems
- PowerFlex 755TS variable speed drives are also available with the following power ratings:
- 1...350 hp in normal mode at 480 V AC
- 1...300 HP in heavy-duty operation at 480 VAC
Various options available for the CENTERLINE 2100 control system
Allen-Bradley CENTERLINE 2100 motor control centers feature ArcShield™ arc flash mitigation technology for increased safety and compliance.
The Motor Control Center with SecureConnect units reduces the risk of electric shock by disconnecting power from the pluggable Motor Control Center unit without opening the cabinet door.
- Simplifies maintenance and reduces downtime
- Has minimal impact on current or future electrical circuitry
- The remote operator option allows customers to connect and disconnect SecureConnect™ units from the MCC.
Remote access to the engine control center is possible using IntelliCENTER® technology . With an integrated network infrastructure, intelligent engine control devices, and user interface software, you can monitor and diagnose your engine control center from virtually anywhere.
Additional network options for the Central Control Center include:
- A complete Modbus TCP solution that does not require additional hardware
- Simplified integration into third-party DCS systems with predefined Modbus registers
- A consistent approach to deploying a control center using standard 600V Ethernet cable and Stratix® switch architecture