The mandatory AS/NZS 61439 standards affect all aspects of power distribution, including motor control.

The AS/NZS 61439 standard was developed to ensure the construction, suitability and performance of devices and components are at the highest possible standard, the most noticeable in temperature rise tests, device substitution and arc fault mitigation. While the standards aim to improve safety for both assemblers and end users, compliance can be complex.

Eaton has the xEnergy Motor Control Centres (MCC) range which complies with AS/NZS 61439.

The xEnergy MCC range, including C445, NZM, PKE, DILM, and M22, provides reliable power distribution, diagnostics, monitoring, and motor control functionality for all commercial and industrial applications. This flexible system maximises safety and uptime, while saving on space and giving users control over their systems. 

The Eaton range of MCCs include over/under voltage protections, residual ground fault and pulse detection, low power protection for detecting pump cavitation, network communications options, and more.

Rated up to 5,000 amps, the series is suitable for use in high specification projects, such as mining, while being fully compliant to the highest rated specifications from the main enclosures down to switchgear assemblies.

The entire range protects from overloads and faults, and the motor management relay does not just offer overload protection, but also electronic protection against supply voltage issues.

To aid business continuity, the range includes voltage loss restart, so users can ensure remote automatic restart in the event of a brownout. This means manual intervention is not required to restart, saving users time and money.

Another key feature is the inbuilt software, which enables remote diagnostics and monitoring of power supply and temperature, plus a USB port for easy interface. This online access is also linked to the front access control panel, which can also be controlled remotely.

Eaton’s MCC series is fully type-tested to the latest switchgear assembly standard, and the series is complete product design third party certified in accordance with AS/NZS 61439 and the latest international standards.

This compliance includes plug-in and withdrawable compartments, which can be modified without the need for complete system shutdown; automatic door interlocking of withdrawable and removable feeders to prevent access to devices when the disconnect switch is in the ON position; and a three-point-lock system is available on all cableway doors to ensure maximum safety.

This flexible series has been designed to save on space, cost and time by being modular, flexible, and scalable. Importantly, it is also suitable to use in existing power assemblies, not just new applications.

The drawers are fully configurable, and it has a flexible mounting system. The panel sizes have been reduced, and include front and rear access, so the final assembly time is reduced. The withdrawable units can be exchanged without having to disconnect power and/or control cabling.

Various sizes are available in 75 mm increments, and all are compliant with AS/NZS 61439

An exciting new feature is Smartwire-DT. SmartWire-DT inside the drawer replaces all the control wiring, for fast testing of single drawer unit without PLC, and communication between the drawers for remote monitoring.

It eliminates I/O modules, reduces control wiring and on-machine cabling to save panel space, and simplifies machine design.

To prove savings, Eaton also offers customers a calculator, which compares a standard control panel or standard MCC wiring time, against Eaton’s MCCs.

Eaton makes AS/NZS 61439 compliance easy, by not only by providing pre-tested solutions, but also by saving time, money and space through flexible and scalable MCCs.

In fact, using Eaton’s solutions can result in a wiring cost reduction up to 70%, I/O cost reduction up to 50%, panel size reduction up to 50%, panel assembly time reduction up to 75%, engineering time savings up to 30%, and commissioning time savings up to 25%.

Find out more about Eaton’s motor control products here

https://www.eaton.com/au/en-gb/products/controls-drives-automation-sensors.html