G

GENERAL ELECTRIC Motor Control Centers

SECTION 16480
LOW VOLTAGE MOTOR CONTROL CENTER

PART 1
GENERAL
The requirements of the Contract, Division 1, and Division 16 apply to work in this Section.
1.01

SECTION INCLUDES
1. Low Voltage Motor Control Center

1.02

RELATED SECTIONS

1.03

REFERENCES

The motor control centers and protection devices in this specification are designed and manufactured
according to latest revision of the following standards (unless otherwise noted).
1.

ANSI/IEEE/NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code.

2.

ANSI/NEMA ICS 6 - Enclosures for Industrial Controls and Systems.

3.

National Electrical Code

4.

NEMA 250 Enclosures for Electrical Equipment

5.

NEMA ICS 2 - General Standards for Industrial Control Systems

6.

NEMA ICS 3 - Standards for Industrial Control Devices, Controllers and Assemblies

7.

NEMA ST 20 - Dry Type Transformers for General Applications

8.

UL 508 - Industrial Control Equipment

9.

UL 845 - Motor Control Centers

1.04

DEFINITIONS: N/A

1.05

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
1. Vertical sections and individual units shall be [UL] [cUL] labeled.
2. Wiring shall be NEMA Class [{I}{II}], Type [{A}{B-D, B-T}{C}]. With Type C wiring,
master terminal blocks shall be located in larger horizontal wireway, at [{top}{bottom}] of
vertical section. Combination starter units shall be wired out to split-type terminal blocks for easy
removal without disturbing either factory- or field-installed wiring.
3. Motor control center splits shall be assembled and packaged to withstand all shipping stresses.

1.06

SUBMITTALS
1. Manufacturer shall provide [quantity] copies of following documents to owner for review and
evaluation in accordance with general requirements of Division 1 & Division 16.
1. Product Data;
2. Shop Drawings ;

1.07

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE DATA

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1. Manufacturer shall provide to owner (quantity) copies of installation, and maintenance
procedures associated in accordance with general requirements of Division 1 & Division 16.

1.08

QUALITY ASSURANCE (QUALIFICATIONS)

1. Manufacturer shall have specialized in the manufacture and assembly of low voltage motor
control centers for [40] years.
2. Low voltage motor control centers shall be listed and/or classified by Underwriters
Laboratories in accordance with standards listed in Article 1.03 of this specification.
5. Installer has specialized in installing motor control centers with <{minimum} {_____ } years
{documented} experience.
6. Motor control center shall be inspected before shipment including structure, electrical
conductors, bussing, general wiring, and devices.

1.9

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
N/A

1.10

DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

1.The manufacturer shall separate Motor Control Center into shipping splits of up to 3 vertical
sections for easier handling at job site. Each shipping split shall include a removable lifting angle
or lifting eyes for positioning equipment at job site.
2. Contractor to store, protect, and handle motor control centers in accordance with
recommended practices listed in manufacturers Installation and Maintenance Manuals.
3.The manufacturer shall deliver each motor control center split on individual shipping skids
wrapped for protection.
4. The contractor shall inspect and report concealed damage to carrier within specified time.
5. The contractor shall store in a clean, dry space. Maintain factory protection or cover with
<{heavy canvas}{plastic}> to keep out dirt, water, construction debris, and traffic. (Heat
enclosures to prevent condensation.)
6. The contractor shall handle in accordance with NEMA (___) and manufacturer's written
instructions to avoid damaging (_____) installed devices, and finish. (Lift only by installed lifting
eyes).

1.14

SEQUENCING AND SCHEDULING: To be determined

1.15

WARRANTY
1. Manufacturer warrants equipment to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for
[{1 year from date of installation}{18 months from date of purchase}{_ }].

1.18

FIELD MEASUREMENTS
1.Contractor to make all necessary field measurements to verify that equipment shall fit in
allocated space in full compliance with minimum required clearances specified in National
Electrical Code.

PART

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PRODUCTS
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2.01

MANUFACTURER 1. General Electric Company products have been used as the basis for design. Other
manufacturers products of equivalent quality, dimensions and operating features may be
acceptable, at the Engineers discretion, if they comply with all requirements specified or
indicated in these Contract documents.

2.02

MANUFACTURED ASSEMBLIES
1. Furnish [quantity] General Electric 8000-Line Motor Control Centers (or equal).

2.03

COMPONENTS
1. For metering, ELECTRONIC METERS:
POWER LEADER <{Meters}{Monitor}{Electronic Power Meter}> may be specified instead of
analog meters.
1. Structure
1. Motor control center shall be rated as indicated in drawings
2. Structures shall be totally enclosed, dead-front, free standing assemblies.
3. Indoor enclosure[s] shall be NEMA [{Type 1, gasketed}{Type 2, dripproof, indoor}]
Type 12-industrial, dusttight, dripproof, indoor]. Outdoor enclosures shall be NEMA 3R
[{non-walk-in}{non-walk-in, back-to-back}{walk-in}{common-aisle walk-through} ]. 1
space heater per vertical section is available for indoor and outdoor enclosures. Heaters
require thermostatic control.
4. Motor control center shall consist of [1] vertical section(s) of heavy gauge steel bolted
together forming a rigid unit assembly. Removable lifting angles or tabs shall be
mounted on top of motor control center sections. Removable bottom channel sills shall
be mounted front and rear of vertical section extending full width of lineup.
5. Motor control center sections shall be nominally {90}{78} or {66} inches high and
in multiples of 20 inches wide. [{24}{30}] inch widths as required for oversize starters,
relay panels. Depth shall be [ _ ] inches (select in accordance with description below:
[1. {Front-mounted units, only, in 13-inch, 1200A Max.} deep sections;
2. {Front-mounted units, only, in 20 1600A Max. or 22 inch 2000/2500A} deep
sections;
3. {Front-mounted units, only, in 20 or 22} inch deep sections with separate
vertical bus in rear for future back to back unit mounting. (65 KA bracing.)
4. Units mounted {back to back in 20 or 22 inch} deep sections.]
6. Phase relationship of stab-in units for rear mounting shall be same as for frontmounted units. No phase rotation shall be permitted.
7. All section parts shall be accessible from front for maintenance and rearrangement.
8. Each 20 inch section shall have all necessary hardware and bussing for modular plugin units to be added at any point in section. Unused space shall be covered by hinged
blank doors and equipped to accept future units.

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9. Each section shall have top plate and two piece bottom plate. Each plate shall be
removable to cut conduit entry openings.
10. Each device compartment shall have an individual flange formed pan type door with
quick release, quarter turn latches. Door shall be mounted on unit so that an individual
unit may be installed or removed without disturbing adjacent units or removing any
hardware.
2. Horizontal Pullbox
1. Vertical sections shall contain [12] inch high horizontal wireway at [{top}{bottom}]
of all sections for incoming lines and wiring between sections. A [6] inch high
horizontal wireway shall be located at [{bottom}{top}] of all sections.
3. Vertical Wiring Trough
1. A separate removable vertical wire trough door shall be furnished adjacent to each
plug-in device. Wire trough permits field control wiring to be isolated in trough area
rather than drawn through cutouts into device.
2. Cable tie supports shall be furnished in vertical wire trough to hold cable and wiring
in place. Each individual device compartment shall have a side barrier to permit pulling
wire from wire trough areas without disturbing adjacent device compartments.
4. Incoming Power/Main Protective Devices
1. Incoming power feed [{cable}{bus duct}] shall enter at [{top}{bottom}] of section.
2. Incoming cable(s) shall be [number] per phase, [{copper}{aluminum}] size [ _ ]
MCM, terminating on [{terminal lugs}{main protective device}].
5. Bus Systems
1. Main Horizontal Bus
1. Power shall be distributed by means of a continuous horizontal bus rated as
indicated in drawings.
2. Main bus shall be {copper, tin-plated}{copper, silver-plated}], as indicated
in drawings, enclosed in isolated compartment at top of each vertical section.
3. Bus bars shall be edgewise mounted, one above the other, and supported on
white polyester reinforced insulators.
4. Main bus shall be isolated from wire troughs, starters by insulated barriers.
All bus and splice bar connections shall be accessible by sliding barrier panels
open, or removing stationary barriers
5. Main bus splicing between shipping splits shall be accomplished from the
front without any structural disassembly. Bus ratings 1200 amperes and larger
may require removal of barriers to gain access to main bus connections.
6. Bus bars shall be fully rated as indicated in drawings.
Bus bars shall be arranged for future extension.
2. Vertical Bus
1. Vertical bus shall be rated as indicated in drawings. Bus shall be [{copper,
tin-plated}{silver-plated}], minimum 300 amps, or as indicated in drawings.

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2. Vertical bus shall be enclosed in flame-retardant white polyester glass
sandwich to insulate bars front and rear and isolate individual vertical bus bars
phase to phase. Small openings in bus sandwich shall permit unit stabs to plug
into vertical bus bars, rather than onto them. Bottom of vertical bus sandwich
shall be barriered to prevent entrance of foreign objects.
3. Vertical bus shall be connected directly to horizontal bus without using risers
or other connectors.
4. Devices with circuit breakers up to [225] ampere trips and fusible switches
up to [200] amperes shall connect to vertical bus by spring reinforced stab-in
connectors. Higher rated devices shall be bolted to main or vertical bus or to
direct vertical riser bus.
5. Bus bars shall be fully rated as indicated in drawings.
3. Power Bus shall be braced to withstand short circuit currents as indicated in
drawings.
4. Ground Bus shall copper and extend full width at bottom of motor control center
line-up. Ground bus will be drilled and lugs furnished as specified in drawings. Ground
bus shall be sized per drawings.
5. Neutral Bus (when specified) shall be [{half}{full}] rated. Neutral bus shall be
continuous throughout the control center. Lugs shall be of appropriate capacity. Bottom
plates shall be furnished when neutral bus is specified.

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6. Optional Construction Features
1. Shutter mechanism to completely isolate vertical bus, including stab area
opening, when plug-in device is withdrawn.
2. Vertical 150 amp rated,(Load) Ground Bus to provide [{studs}{terminals}]
next to power terminal locations for motor ground connections.
3. Vertical Unit Ground Bus ( mounted to vertical bus steel support assembly) to
engage device vertical ground bus stab on each plug-in unit before power stabs
engage vertical bus and disengage only after power stabs are disconnected when
removing plug-in unit.
4. Power-Off Lock-Out Feature to prohibit access to unit racking screw with
unit disconnect in closed or ON position. Device cannot be removed or
installed. Access to racking screw is permitted with unit disconnect OFF.
6. Main Disconnect Devices
1. Main disconnects shall be [{circuit breaker}{fusible switch}] type.
2. Circuit breakers shall be thermal magnetic.
3. Service entrance
1. Service Entrance applications require:
1. UL service entrance label
2. Neutral bonding jumper for 3-phase, 4-wire systems
3. Ground bus
4. Ground fault protection for disconnects rated 1000 amperes or
larger, when used as a service disconnect.
4. Main breakers shall be [{conventional thermal magnetic}{current limiting and High
IC, thermal magnetic}{Spectra }{Power Break MicroVersaTrip } (or equal).
5. Fusible main disconnects shall be [{QMR}{QMW}{HPC}] type (or equal).

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7. Feeder Units
1. Feeder units shall be <{circuit breaker}{fusible switch}> type.
2. Feeder breakers shall be [{conventional thermal magnetic}{current limiting and High
IC, thermal magnetic}{limiter assisted, thermal magnetic}{Spectra }] devices (or
equal).
3. Fusible feeder units shall be [{QMR}{QMW}}{ HPC}] switches (or equal).
8. Combination Motor Starters Devices
1. Combination motor controller and feeder tap units shall have <{molded case circuit
breaker}{fusible switch & clips for ( _ ) Type fuse}> for branch circuit protection.
2. Circuit breaker disconnects for combination motor starters shall be [{thermal
magnetic}{magnetic only}].
3. Combination starters, circuit breakers and fusible switches, shall be rated as indicated
in drawings.
4. Combination starter types shall be [{FVNR}{FVR}{RVAT}
{RVSS}03/21/2001{2S1W}{2S2W}{Part Winding}{Y-Delta}].
5. Plug-in combination starter and feeder units shall use a positive guidance mechanical
installation system to ensure positive stabbing of unit wedge shaped stab assembly into
vertical riser bars. Power cables shall be connected to wedge stabs with maintenance free
crimp connectors.
6. Unit operating handle shall be vertical lift, close coupled to unit disconnect for
positive indication of disconnect position with unit door open or closed. Handle shall be
mechanically interlocked with door closed so that interlock must be defeated to open
door with device energized, or to energize device with door open. Handle shall have
padlocking provision in OFF position for up to 3 padlocks with door opened or closed.
Handle shall have drilling pattern to add padlock in ON position. Circuit breaker
handles shall indicate TRIPPED position in addition to ON, OFF and RESET.
7. Unit shall have means to padlock for maintenance, in the lockout position.
8. When in LOCKOUT position, power stabs are disengaged from vertical bus bars so no
power can enter unit.
9. Combination starters with Type B or C wiring shall have drought split-type control
terminal blocks mounted on right-hand side. Control terminal boards are to be manually
separable type. Combination starter units Sizes 1-4 up to 48 inches high shall be
removable from section without removing control leads to terminal blocks.
10. Combination motor controller units shall have (Select 1, 2, 3 or 4, below):
[1. {Individual control power transformers} with one secondary lead furnished
with a control fuse and the other secondary lead grounded. Control power
transformer primary fuses are required.
2. {Line voltage control circuits} on all circuit breakers and fusible switch
combination starters shall be provided with NEMA Class J current-limiting
fuses mounted in both legs of unit control circuit.

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3. { Separate source control power}. A control power fuse shall be provided and
the other secondary lead will be grounded in unit. Unit disconnect shall be
equipped with a normally open contact to isolate control circuit from power
source with controller disconnect open.
11. NEMA Size 1-4 starters shall have control terminal board next to wireways. Motor
leads shall connect directly to starter terminals. Larger starters shall be arranged so that
motor leads exit through starter cubicle bottom.
12. Combination starter units shall have auxiliary devices (select from list below):
1. {Auxiliary starter interlocks} : (number) N/O, (number) N/C
2. {Door-mounted pilot device: (type) (Specify)}
3. {Control/timing relays: (quantity) (Specify)}
4. {Other accessories: (type) (Specify)}

13. Starters shall have [{Bimetal overloads}{non}{Ambient compensated}]{Electronic

Overload Relay}{ECM}:
Solid State Overload Relay shall be Class 10, 20, 30 (selectable) with adjustable phase
loss/unbalance (sensitivity 20-50%), ambient insensitive within the stated operating
temperature range of -20C to +70C, built-in thermal memory, visual trip indication,
self powered @ 50% of minimum current range, standard isolated 1 NO and 1 NC aux.
Contact.
(ECM) Electronic Control Module:
Microprocessor based add-on module to a Spectra TM CB overload functions and
communication capability to Size 1 through Size 6 starters, user selectable motor
protection Class (10, 20, 30), current unbalance/loss protection (on/off) and ground fault
(on/off) with optional zero sequence sensor. Communications: {commnet networks for
Power Leader Distribution Software}{DeviceNet}. Remote metering of current and
motor status, trip notification (for overload, ground fault, or phase unbalance/loss
conditions) shall be provided.
9. Other Available Drives and Controls
1VersaMax, Series 90-30 and Series 90-70 Programmable Logic Control Mounting and
Genius I/O System mounting in separate sections.
2. Solid State (reduced voltage) starters [{with isolation contactor}{with bypass
contactor}]as described in SECTION 4
3. Adjustable Speed AC Drives [AF300G11 or P11].
10. Miscellaneous Branch Devices
1. Other units to be included in motor control center (List as required):
1. Lighting and power transformers

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2. Lighting and distribution panelboards [ ___ ] Type, No. of circuits [ ___ ],
Trip amperes per circuit [ ___ ].
3. Metering panels and instrument transformers: (Specify)
4. Operating panels: (Specify)
5. Power factor correction capacitors: (Specify KVAR rating)

2.04

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
1. Automatic Transfer Switches (Zenith) (or equal).
2. Incoming line reactors (3) to limit short circuit current to motor control center.
3. Transitions from motor control center to other equipment.
1. Transitions to[{ AV-Line switchboards} { GE transformers} {AKD -8 switchgear}.)
2. Overcurrent protection for motor control center must be provided.
3. Dry type transformers GE <{QB}{QMS}{QL}{open core and coil}>.
4. Ground fault protection as shown on the drawings for main and feeder breakers.
[{Type TSGR ground break protective relaying for mains}{Type MC ground fault
relaying for feeders}] (or equal).
5. Key interlocks [{Superior Lock Corporation}{Kirk}] to be installed on specified
circuit breakers and fusible switches.

2.05

ACCESSORIES
1. Furnish 1 X 3 nameplates for each unit as indicated in drawings. Use [{black letters on
white background}{white letters on black background}.

2.08

TESTING
1. Electrical Tests before shipment shall include:
1. Power circuit phasing
2. Control circuit wiring
3. Instrument transformers
4. Meters
6. Device electrical operation
7. AC Dielectric Tests of:
1. Power circuits
2. Control circuits.

2.09

FINISH

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The Motor Control Center steel parts shall be cleaned and sprayed in controlled cleaning
solutions by a 7-stage spray washer. The operation shall produce an iron phosphate coating of a
minimum of 150 milligrams per square foot to meet MIL Specification TT-C-490. The primed
metal parts shall be Electro-statically coated with powder paint consisting of 670-011 ANSI-61
Acrylic Paint (Light Gray) with a gloss of 60 +/- 5, and thickness of 2.5 mils. The paint finish
shall withstand a minimum of 1000 hours salt spray test.

PART
3.01

3
EXECUTIONTHE CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
EXAMINATION
1. Examine installation area to assure there is enough clearance to install motor control center.
2. Check concrete pads for uniformity and level surface.
3. Verify that motor control centers are ready to install.
4. Verify field measurements are as <{shown on Drawings}{instructed by manufacturer}>.
5. Verify that required utilities are available, in proper location and ready for use.
6. Beginning of installation means installer accepts conditions.

3.02

LOCATION
1. 480V Motor control centers shall have a minimum of 3 feet 6 free space in front of assembly.
Motor control centers should have 3 feet 6 free space behind assemblies with back-to-back
construction per NEC Code. Free space is needed to remove and install units. A [1] inch space
should be provided between back of front-of-board motor control centers and a wall [6 inches for
damp locations.] Verify local Codes before installation.
2. Surface under motor control center will be non-combustible unless bottom plates are installed
in each vertical section.

3.03

INSTALLATION
Install per manufacturers instructions. Install required safety labels.

3.04

FIELD QUALITY CONTROL

1. Inspect installed motor control center(s) for anchoring, alignment, grounding and physical
damage.
2. Megger and record phase to phase and phase to ground insulation resistance of each bus
section. Megger for [1] minute for each measurement at minimum voltage of [1000] VDC.
Measured Insulation resistance shall be at least [1] megohms. Refer to manufacturers
instructions for proper testing procedures.
3. Check tightness of all accessible mechanical and electrical connections <{with calibrated
torque wrench}>. Minimum acceptable values are specified in manufacturers instructions.
4. Test each key interlock system for proper functioning.
5. Operate test push button to check ground fault system(s).
6. List other controls as required.

3.05

ADJUSTING

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1. Adjust all <{circuit breakers}{switches}{access doors}{operating handles}> for free
<{mechanical }{electrical}> operation as described in manufacturers instructions.
2. Adjust circuit breaker trip and time delay settings to values <{specified}{determined}> by
Architect Engineer.
3. Return odd KIRK keys to Engineer before energizing equipment.

3.06

CLEANING
1. Clean interiors of motor control centers to remove construction debris, dirt, shipping materials.
2. Repaint scratched or marred exterior surfaces to match original finish.
END OF SECTION

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