Upgrading to IP 54 and Beyond: What MCCs Mean for Harsh-Environment Applications
Today, in most industrial processes, the loads on control systems are no longer "normal." Offshore platforms, wastewater treatment, food processing, and heavy manufacturing are just a few examples. The environment can be harsh. That's why it's important to select the proper enclosure for your electrical infrastructure.
At A&T Enclosures, we recognise that the core of most installations is the motor control centres built to withstand more than just indoor clean environments. Selecting the appropriate level of protection ensures reliability, limits downtime and safeguards your investment.
Why IP ratings are essential to harsh environments
When equipment is exposed to moisture, dust, chemical sprays, vibration or outdoor conditions, the performance of the enclosure is as crucial as the internal device. An important measurement is the IP rating, ingress protection label, which informs you about how resistant the enclosure is to solids and liquids.
An IP 54 rating, for instance, implies a level of protection against dust penetration (not dust-tight) and against water spray from any direction. Different makers of MCC systems report that the outdoor units usually take IP 54 as a starting point and can go up (IP 65, IP 66) for harsher environments.
What "MCCs" must endure to live in extreme conditions
In harsh environments, the typical indoor floor-standing assembly will not be adequate. The busbars, starters, controls and enclosure frames need to be constructed for thermal cycling, condensation, corrosion and mechanical stress. Such assemblies can comprise gasketed doors, sealed cable entries, ventilated or conditioned housings and heavy-duty structural frames according to a design guide.
Important considerations in the design are:
- Long-lasting materials (e.g., stainless steel, galvanised steel) and heavy-duty coatings to withstand corrosion.
- Adequate sealing and drainage so moisture doesn’t accumulate.
- Controlled ventilation or local climate control if condensation is likely.
- Service access features that maintain the enclosure's integrity while enabling maintenance.
Upgrading to IP 54 and beyond: What to ask?
If you’re evaluating a control centre for a harsh environment, here are crucial upgrade questions:
- What is the IP or NEMA rating of the enclosure at present? If it's as low as IP 20 or NEMA 1, then dust, splash, or condensation could already be degrading performance.
- Is the enclosure a specialist built-in rigid frame or a retrofit within a standard cabinet? Specialist-built-to-order from a supplier such as A&T Enclosures enables optimisation of sealing, cable entry and ventilation to the site.
- Will the environment require more than IP 54? By way of illustration, outdoor exposure to salt spray, ice or heavy wash-down frequently requires IP 65 or IP 66 rated construction.
- Are the parts inside the cabinet rated for the same environment? Even a sealed cabinet will fail if the internal starters or busbars are not humidity, dust or vibration tolerant.
- Is there a maintenance plan that maintains the ingress protection? Stuff as simple as replacing gaskets, inspecting the door seals, and clearing out vents counts.
Why A&T Enclosures makes the difference
At A&T Enclosures, we have expertise in custom builds to suit the requirements of harsh environments. If you require an outside walk-in MCC or a small remote-skid unit, our solutions combine high IP rated enclosures with the controls and bus systems required. The benefit is a customised solution rather than an off-the-shelf compromise.
Ready to take your control centre to the next level for real-world applications? Contact A&T today to discuss your site needs. Let's create an MCC solution that works as hard as you do.