Considerations in network and automation options for low-voltage motor control centers

The wide spread utilization of industrial communication networks in industrial applications for Low-Voltage Motor Control Centers (LV MCC's) started in 1995 when Open DeviceNet Vendors Association (ODVA) was formed and an open standard for DeviceNet was developed. The main value proposition behind networks was wire savings and reduction of downtime, both quantifiable and tangible benefits, as well as many non-tangible metrics such as data richness and diagnostics. Today there are many types of industrial networks available. These networks provide connectivity from working equipment to upstream supervisory Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributed Control Systems (DCS) in process environments, or Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems which usually also employ an operator interface (OI) for control and monitoring. When an advanced communicating system is employed, facilities typically need personnel proficient in network installation and diagnostics, supervisory control programming, device programming and OI design, thus requiring a more technical resource than a traditional hard wired system. It is the intent of this paper to timeline industrial networks past and future, inform the reader of current standards for equipment control and automation, and to share how the industry is adapting to support these emerging challenges.