Using IEEE Standard 1683 in Designing and Specifying Motor Control Centers: Helping to Ensure Safe Performance and Reducing Hazards and Risks

IEEE Standard 1683 is the first IEEE guide that emphasizes methods to reduce exposure to shock and arc-flash hazards for low-voltage (LV) motor control centers (MCCs) while addressing equipment design, selection, and installation practices. This standard, IEEE Guide for Motor Control Centers Rated Up to and Including 600 V AC or 1000 V DC With Recommendations Intended to Help Reduce Electrical Hazards, was released in 2014 [1] and provides guidance on power system design, MCC configurations, and feature selections that can reduce the hazards and risks associated with working in, on, and around LV MCCs. This article discusses some of the standard's recommendations, explores one user's experience with the standard, and provides examples of considerations in choosing designs and features.