Motor controllers, which manage electric motors, can be housed in a motor control center. Electric motors typically require a controller of some kind to operate. This device, called a motor controller, manages the speed and torque of the connected motor. A single device that enables one or more motors to be controlled from a central location is a motor control center.
Motor control centers are combination starters grouped into one assembly. A combination starter is an enclosure that houses the motor starter, or device that regulates an electric motor’s performance and the fuses or devices used in electrical systems that prevent excessive current.
Motor control centers contain vertical metal cabinets used to house the individual motor controller units, and typically draw their power from an AC generator. Power enters the motor controllers via separate connectors. Motor controllers govern electric motors through a closed loop system, or a control system that modifies output based on differences between the input and feedback systems.
Motor control centers are used to centralize motor control and simplify the addition of components such as transformers and service entrance switches. They also enable simplified installation and wiring, and require less total space than single motor controller units.
