You know what is control panel and what are the components used in the control panel. Now we will discuss the difference between control panel and MCC. You might have faced this question in some interviews.

MCC stands for motor control center. It consists of feeders for motors and blowers. Feeders are designed according to the motor rating. In most of the MCCs, auto/manual provision will be there. With manual provision motors can be operated manually. In auto provision external signal is required to start the motor. The signal is given by the control panel. Indicators for the motor operation also will be present in control panel.

Control panel consists of a controller. The controller may be PLC, DCS, relay or some other type. It gives digital signal input signal to the MCC panel to start the motor. Control panel works based on the PLC /DCS program or the relay logic.  Instruments are normally connected to control panel. Indications for the interlocks also will be there in control panel. Nowadays single panel is used of using separate control and MCC panel.

Overview: Control panel giving start command to motor through MCC

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