Electric motors are essential in production processes as they drive machinery and equipment. Ensuring these motors have adequate protection is crucial for efficient operations, often achieved through the use of Combination Motor Controllers (CMCs).
These devices offer both protection and control for motor branch circuits, playing a pivotal role in industrial settings.
Common Types of Combination Motor Controllers
NOARK Electric provides insight into the most frequently used CMCs in North America, focusing on Types A, C, D, E, and F. The company also clarifies the distinctions between Self-Protected Type E and Type F controllers, addressing common queries.
Understanding Motor Protection Standards
According to these norms, motor branch circuit defensive systems must fulfill four key functions
In North America, motor protection adheres to standards like the National Electric Code (USA) and the Canadian Electrical Code (Canada), alongside regulations from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and organizations such as UL and CSA.
According to these standards, motor branch circuit protective systems must fulfill four key functions: a main disconnect, short circuit protection, motor control, and overload protection.
Types of Combination Motor Controllers Defined by UL 508
A combination motor controller integrates these functions, either through a single device or multiple components. The types, described as Type A through Type F under UL 508, offer varying configurations to ensure that each of these essential functions is met effectively.
Detailed Look at CMC Types
Type A: This configuration includes a disconnect switch, fuse, motor controller, and overload relay, with each function performed by a separate device.
Type C: Combines an inverse time circuit breaker with a motor controller and overload relay, allowing for reduced component use and space efficiency. The circuit breaker facilitates better fault isolation and quick service restoration.
Type D: Incorporates an instantaneous trip breaker with a motor controller and overload relay, similar to Type C, but utilizing a magnetic circuit breaker for first two functions.
Type E: A self-protected CMC that combines all necessary functions within a single device, like NOARK’s Ex9S Manual Motor Starter. Space efficiency and quick fault recovery are key advantages offered by this model.
Type F: Similar to Type E, this configuration includes a manual self-protected combination motor controller and a separate motor controller certified to UL 508.
Components and Solutions for Motor Protection
NOARK Electric offers a variety of products related to motor control and protection, such as Motor Contactors, Overload Relays, Manual Motor Starters (MMS), Molded Case Circuit Breakers, Molded Case Switches, and Motor Circuit Protectors.
These products reflect the continual advancement in motor protection technologies to meet evolving industry standards and customer needs.
Electric motors are critical components in every production process or facility because they are the movers of mechanical equipment and machinery.
Without them, nothing gets done. When designing a system, it is imperative to provide protection for motors using various protection and control systems. A Combination Motor Controller (CMC) is one way to provide motor branch circuit protection and control.
Five most common types of CMCs
In this blog, NOARK Electric answers the question of which CMC a customer should deploy in their machine and why. To do this, they discuss some of the common terms surrounding motors and their operation and take a close look at the five most common types of CMCs used in North America (Type A, Type C, Type D, Type E, and Type F).
NOARK also clears up any confusion surrounding the differences between Self-Protected Type E and Type F combination motor controllers.
Combination Motor Controllers
In North America, the standards that are applicable to motor protection and motor control are the National Electric Code (for USA), and the Canadian Electrical Code (for Canada). Additional standards, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the standards of UL and CSA.
According to North American standards, each motor branch circuit protective system must meet four functional requirements:
- A main disconnect: a way to disconnect the motor from the electrical network
- Short circuit protection: a device to protect the motor from short circuits
- Motor control: a controller that switches on and off the motor
- Overload protection: a device that prevents the motor from overheating
UL 508 as Type A through to Type F
All these functions can be performed by a single device or a combination of components. For example, a disconnector can be used as a main disconnect; a fuse can be used for short circuit protection; a contactor can be used to switch the motor ON/OFF; and a bimetallic overload relay can be used to prevent the motor from overheating.
When all these functions are integrated into one device or a combination of components, they have a combination motor controller. As the name suggests, there are various possible combinations that can be created to ensure that each of these four functions are met.
Therefore, types are used to describe these various combinations. Construction types are defined by the UL 508 as Type A through to Type F. With a good understanding of the different types of CMCs, machine builders and panel builders can make smarter choices for motor control in their systems. The various types of combination motor controllers are as follows:
Type A
Type A combination motor controller consists of a disconnect switch, fuse, motor controller, and overload relay. Type A combination motor controller means that every function (main disconnect, branch circuit short circuit protection, motor controller, and motor overload protection) is performed out by four different devices.
Type C
Type C combination motor controller consists of an inverse time circuit breaker, a motor controller, and an overload relay. In Type C combination motor controller, the first two functions (main disconnect and short circuit protection) are combined into one device, a circuit breaker.
This reduces the number of components involved and the amount of space required in the panel. The other components in the assembly are the motor contactor and overload relay. This combination utilizes an inverse time circuit breaker, which can potentially allow better isolation of a fault and can put back into service once the fault is cleared unlike the fuse in Type A that has be replaced after a fault trip.
Type D
Type D combination motor controller consists of instantaneous trip circuit breaker, motor controller, and overload relay. Type D combination motor controller is like the Type C combination motor controller in that the first two functions (main disconnect and short circuit protection) are combined into one device, an instantaneous trip or magnetic circuit breaker.
In series combination with the magnetic breaker are the motor controller (a contactor) and an overload relay for overload protection.
Type E
Type E (self-protected) combination motor controller consists of manual self-protected combination motor controller and motor controller. A Type E combination motor controller is the only CMC that consists of a single component.
All the functions (main disconnect, branch circuit short circuit protection, motor controller, and motor overload protection) are designed within a single device. This makes a Type E CMC an ideal choice when panel space is limited.
For example, NOARK’s Ex9S Manual Motor Starter provides manual isolation, manual motor control, and overcurrent protection. They are electromechanical devices combining the functions below in one unit:
- Disconnect for Motor Branch Circuit
- Manual Motor Control (automatic when used with a contactor)
- Branch-Circuit Short Circuit Protection (Magnetic Protection)
- Overload Protection (Thermal Protection) – Tip Class 10
For a Type E CMC to be termed self-protected, it must fulfil a number of conditions:
- Sufficient creepage and clearance spacing on the line side of the starter
- It can be put back into service immediately after a fault has been cleared and the contacts must not weld
- Provide branch circuit protection i.e., short circuit protection
- It must have a fault indicator to indicate the type of trip – overload or short circuit
Type F
Type F combination motor controller consists of manual self-protected combination motor controller and separate motor controller. The manual self-protected combination motor controller is a single device consisting of a main disconnect, branch circuit short circuit protection, and motor overload protection.
The main difference between a Type E and a Type F CMC is that the latter, for the motor controller function, uses a listed component certified to UL 508.
Related Products
There are many components involved in motor protection and control. There are many ways to combine these components to achieve the desired outcome of the system. Below is a list of NOARK Electric products that are related to combination motor controllers:
- Motor Contactors
- Overload Relays
- Manual Motor Starters (MMS)
- Molded Case Circuit Breakers
- Molded Case Switches
- Motor Circuit Protectors
Leverage NOARK Electric’s Electrical Components for Power Systems
Motor protection and control has evolved over the decades since the introduction of the electric motor.
Manufacturers have continued to improve the function and design of motors as their customers’ needs have changed as well. Standards and regulations are updated regularly to ensure safety and compliance with the latest best practice.
