Motor Control Centres (MCCs) are pivotal components in the industrial sector, providing centralised control and protection for electric motors, fans, pumps and other equipment. They act as centralised systems that house electrical components like circuit breakers, motor starters, relays, and power-distribution busbars.
WearCheck’s condition monitoring expertise is instrumental in optimising the efficiency of MCCs, reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.
Philip Schutte, general manager for WearCheck’s asset reliability care (ARC) division, explains, “MCC systems are integral to the efficient operation of machinery that uses electricity in various industrial environments. By managing the distribution of electrical power, MCCs ensure that machinery operates smoothly and safely. MCCs are used in many sectors, including manufacturing, water treatment and petrochemicals, among others.”
However, like all critical infrastructure, MCCs require regular maintenance and monitoring to prevent failures and optimise performance. This is where WearCheck comes into play, offering significant benefits for the longevity and efficiency of MCCs. Importance of maintenance and monitoring
“Regular maintenance of MCCs is crucial to prevent unexpected breakdowns and ensure continuous operation. Traditional maintenance practices often involve scheduled inspections and manual checks, which, while effective, can be time consuming and may not always detect issues early. This is where condition monitoring offers a more proactive approach,” says Schutte.
“WearCheck’s condition monitoring programmes involve measurement and analysis of parameters such as temperature, vibration, and electrical characteristics to assess the MCC’s health. Using various techniques, WearCheck technicians can detect anomalies and potential failures before they result in failures or downtime.”
“We use different methods to assess the health and functionality of MCCs and associated equipment, including thermal imaging, vibration analysis, infrared thermography, partial discharge testing, harmonic analysis and insulation resistance testing,” adds Schutte.
“Some of the faults we detect include overheating, loose connections, motor overload or failures, short circuits, electrical arcing and power quality issues.”
Benefits of condition monitoring:
- Early fault detection - timely intervention can prevent minor issues from escalating into major failures.
- Reduced downtime - by predicting and addressing potential failures before they occur, condition monitoring helps minimise unplanned downtime – especially in mining and manufacturing, where continuous operation is critical to productivity and profitability.
- Enhanced safety - monitoring the condition of MCCs can prevent hazardous situations such as electrical fires or arc flashes.
- Cost savings – for many clients, WearCheck’s proactive maintenance approach has saved significant maintenance costs and avoided downtime.
- Optimised performance.
The insights gained from the various condition monitoring techniques enable WearCheck’s ARC technicians to advise maintenance teams and assist them to make informed decisions about when and how to perform maintenance tasks.
Schutte concludes, “As MCCs are essential for the efficient and safe operation of industrial facilities, it is important to incorporate condition monitoring into MCC maintenance strategies to enhance their reliability, safety, and performance. This proactive approach prevents costly downtime and ensures that equipment operates at peak efficiency, ultimately contributing to the overall success of industrial enterprises.”
Enquiries: www.wearcheck.co.za or email support@wearcheck.co.za
