Motor control centres pass the test

In collaboration with Tegrel, Schneider Electric has successfully completed the most stringent and up-to-date testing of motor control centre panels in compliance with BS EN60439-1.

In collaboration with enclosure manufacturer, Tegrel, Schneider Electric has announced the successful completion of the most stringent and up-to-date testing of motor control centre (MCC) panels in compliance with BS EN60439-1.

Heat rise and short circuit tests were carried out to meet requirements of this tough standard, which is demanded by the water industry and other industrial end users.

The successful completion of the tests makes Tegrel unique in its field in being able to prove BS EN60439-1 compliance, in particular associated with temperature rise with incoming ACB sections.

The build quality of the Tegrel Motor Control Centres and busbars will make it an ideal choice for panel builders working in the water industry.

The tests, which took place over four days, were carried out at Schneider Electric's Lovag accredited test station in Grenoble, France - one of only a few test houses left in Europe.

Panel builders, independent engineering consultants and electrical engineers witnessed the testing at the Grenoble site which has recently received an investment of Eur 69 million from Schneider Electric.

Three motor control centre panels were put through over 30 conditional and withstand short circuit tests of 50kA for 1s.

The MCCs were equipped with fuse switches and circuit breakers from Schneider Electric brands, Merlin Gerin and Telemecanique.

The heat rise test was passed a few weeks earlier at Schneider Electric's Scarborough site.

"To produce such busbars and MCCs is real craftsmanship", commented water industry consultant and electrical engineer, John Eley.

"If you don't get this just right, the consequences can be disastrous".

"End users can feel very confident when the metalwork is as good as this".

Colin Cumming of Southern Water was also highly impressed with testing facilities.

He enthused: "I'm very impressed with what I have seen here and of the commitment demonstrated by Schneider Electric and Tegrel".

"As a result I will be recommending their services to the Water Industry Mechanical and Electrical Specifications (WIMES) group".

One of Tegrel's panel builder customers, Laing Utilities, which where involved in deciding the configuration of the MCCs, also witnessed the testing.

"We can now provide these configurations to our clients and they can be assured that they will safely comply with the tests specified within the BS60439-1 standard", stated Tom Dennison, Engineering Manager of Laing.

"Thanks to Schneider Electric and Tegrel, these configurations can now form the fundamental basis of meeting the various testing requirements specified by the WIMES group".

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