Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Motor control centers (MCCs) are used to safely control, protect, and distribute power to electric motors and are a critical component of industrial and commercial power systems.
Learn as Erik Hurd, Power Systems Experience Center Engineer, explains what an MCC is: a centralized location where motors can be controlled, monitored, and diagnosed. Erik also discusses:
MCC construction: common build designs such as vertical sections, horizontal and vertical bus systems, wireways, and modular control units, commonly referred to as buckets.
MCC control: each bucket contains the components needed to start, stop, and protect motors. Items such as motor starters, overload relays, circuit breakers, fuses, soft starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and feeder devices.
MCC safety: how MCCs often present arc flash risks, especially when equipment must remain energized during maintenance. Learn how advanced solutions such as arc-resistant remote racking technology and MCC construction help improve operator safety. We highlight Eaton’s FlashGard technology, which allows buckets to be connected and disconnected with the bucket door closed, significantly reducing arc flash exposure. We also demonstrate how Eaton’s RotoTract allows buckets to be racked remotely using a wired pendant. Together, these two components allow operators to be outside the arc flash boundary.
Key MCC features, including:
• How MCC bus systems distribute power and provide fault strength
• Typical MCC ratings, voltage levels, and short-circuit capabilities
• NEMA enclosure types and indoor versus outdoor MCC applications
• The role of soft starters and VFDs in reducing inrush current and controlling speed
• Feeder units for supplying non motor loads, panelboards, and transformers
Additionally, Erik also explores special MCC applications, including automatic transfer switches (ATS), distribution transformers, and integrated monitoring and metering, demonstrating how MCCs can support a wide range of system requirements in a compact footprint.
Next video: learn about motor control fundamentals and various motor starter designs
youtube.com/watch?v=L46PWrQChtA&list=PL8XobqCtN9Z9zmxXF91EJpX2k8FjdRIEb&index=41
Thank you for watching one of our many educational videos on the topic of power systems. Schedule a visit to one of
Eaton's Power Systems Experience Centers in either Pittsburgh or Houston to learn more!
To learn more about Eaton products and our Power Systems Experience Centers: eaton.com/experience
To view more educational videos from Eaton's Power Systems Experience Centers: videos.eaton.com/experience
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:33 What is an MCC?
01:50 MCC structure design
04:16 MCC safety components
06:32 MCC components and equipment
08:16 MCC applications
09:23 MCC special applications
11:38 Conclusion
#MotorControlCenters #MCC #IndustrialPower #MotorControl #ElectricalEngineering #PowerDistribution #MotorProtection #ArcFlashSafety #Engineering #electricaltrainingvideos #powerquality #powersystem #engineering #eatonexperience #experiencecenter #powerdistribution #powersystemdesign
Motor control centers (MCCs) are used to safely control, protect, and distribute power to electric motors and are a critical component of industrial and commercial power systems.
Learn as Erik Hurd, Power Systems Experience Center Engineer, explains what an MCC is: a centralized location where motors can be controlled, monitored, and diagnosed. Erik also discusses:
MCC construction: common build designs such as vertical sections, horizontal and vertical bus systems, wireways, and modular control units, commonly referred to as buckets.
MCC control: each bucket contains the components needed to start, stop, and protect motors. Items such as motor starters, overload relays, circuit breakers, fuses, soft starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and feeder devices.
MCC safety: how MCCs often present arc flash risks, especially when equipment must remain energized during maintenance. Learn how advanced solutions such as arc-resistant remote racking technology and MCC construction help improve operator safety. We highlight Eaton’s FlashGard technology, which allows buckets to be connected and disconnected with the bucket door closed, significantly reducing arc flash exposure. We also demonstrate how Eaton’s RotoTract allows buckets to be racked remotely using a wired pendant. Together, these two components allow operators to be outside the arc flash boundary.
Key MCC features, including:
• How MCC bus systems distribute power and provide fault strength
• Typical MCC ratings, voltage levels, and short-circuit capabilities
• NEMA enclosure types and indoor versus outdoor MCC applications
• The role of soft starters and VFDs in reducing inrush current and controlling speed
• Feeder units for supplying non motor loads, panelboards, and transformers
Additionally, Erik also explores special MCC applications, including automatic transfer switches (ATS), distribution transformers, and integrated monitoring and metering, demonstrating how MCCs can support a wide range of system requirements in a compact footprint.
Next video: learn about motor control fundamentals and various motor starter designs
youtube.com/watch?v=L46PWrQChtA&list=PL8XobqCtN9Z9zmxXF91EJpX2k8FjdRIEb&index=41
Thank you for watching one of our many educational videos on the topic of power systems. Schedule a visit to one of
Eaton's Power Systems Experience Centers in either Pittsburgh or Houston to learn more!
To learn more about Eaton products and our Power Systems Experience Centers: eaton.com/experience
To view more educational videos from Eaton's Power Systems Experience Centers: videos.eaton.com/experience
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:33 What is an MCC?
01:50 MCC structure design
04:16 MCC safety components
06:32 MCC components and equipment
08:16 MCC applications
09:23 MCC special applications
11:38 Conclusion
#MotorControlCenters #MCC #IndustrialPower #MotorControl #ElectricalEngineering #PowerDistribution #MotorProtection #ArcFlashSafety #Engineering #electricaltrainingvideos #powerquality #powersystem #engineering #eatonexperience #experiencecenter #powerdistribution #powersystemdesign
