Glossary · also called Motor Control Centre, Motor control center, MCC
What is an MCC Panel (Motor Control Centre)?
MCC panel: An MCC panel (motor control centre) is a low-voltage switchgear assembly that houses the starters, protection and controls for a group of electric motors in one place, fed from a common busbar through an incomer. Each motor has its own feeder, typically with a breaker, contactor and overload relay, or a soft starter or VFD.
Definition
Factories, water and sewage plants, HVAC systems and process lines run many motors — pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors. Rather than scatter a starter next to each motor, an MCC brings them together in one panel with a shared incomer and busbar. That makes operation, maintenance and protection simpler.
An MCC is often fed from a power control centre (PCC), which distributes power to MCCs and distribution boards. MCCs can be fixed-type, where feeders are wired in permanently, or draw-out, where feeder modules can be withdrawn for maintenance. Low-voltage assemblies in India are generally designed and tested to IS/IEC 61439, which also defines the forms of internal separation between feeders.
How it works
An illustrative MCC for a small pumping station:
- Incomer: one ACB or MCCB with metering and protection.
- Busbar: copper or aluminium, sized for the total load and fault level.
- Feeders, for example:
- 4 × DOL starters for 7.5 kW pumps (MPCB or MCCB, contactor, overload relay).
- 2 × star-delta starters for 37 kW pumps (three contactors, timer, overload relay).
- 1 × VFD feeder for a 55 kW pump.
- Control: control transformer, selector switches, push buttons, indication lamps, terminals.
- Enclosure: sheet-steel cubicles with cable alleys and gland plates.
Every feeder becomes a group of lines in the BOM. Starter type, motor rating and brand drive most of the cost. Plants with many motors often add an APFC panel to correct power factor.
Common mistakes
- Sizing starters on kW alone without checking duty, starting method and coordination with the protective device.
- Missing feeder accessories — CTs, ammeters, interlocks — when building the BOM from a drawing.
- Underestimating fabrication and wiring labour, which grows with feeder count.
- Not quoting spare feeders that the customer’s drawing shows but does not detail.
On the tax side, panels are generally classified under HSN heading 8537; check the correct HSN code and applicable GST rate for your product.
In Zaptiz
Zaptiz Electrical includes an MCC template in its BOM Generator, with brand tiers, charges and margin. The drawing analyser reads PDF or image MCC drawings and marks each line matched, needs review or no match against your catalogue for you to confirm.