A Power Control Center (PCC) Panel is an essential component in any electrical power distribution system, particularly in industrial and large commercial environments. It is primarily used to manage, control, and distribute electrical power efficiently and safely from a single incoming source to various downstream loads or distribution units. PCC panels are typically installed near the main power source—such as a transformer, generator.
Designed to comply with international standards like IEC 61439, IS 8623, and IEC 60529, PCC panels offer a high degree of safety, operational efficiency, and ease of maintenance. Their form of separation (Form 2, 3, or 4) enhances personnel safety by preventing accidental contact with live components during operation or maintenance. PCC panels can be installed in both indoor and outdoor environments, with ingress protection ratings ranging from IP42 to IP65, depending on site requirements. They are widely used across a variety of industries including manufacturing plants, power plants, oil and gas facilities, commercial buildings, hospitals, and infrastructure projects, where reliable and centralized control of electrical power is critical.
A Motor Control Center (MCC) Panel is a vital component in industrial electrical systems, specifically designed for the centralized control, protection, and monitoring of electric motors. It serves as a hub for controlling multiple motors from a single location, making it essential in manufacturing plants, process industries, water treatment facilities, power plants, and other environments where large numbers of motors operate simultaneously.
An MCC panel typically consists of several motor starters, contactors, overload relays, circuit breakers, and control devices housed within a metal-enclosed cabinet. These units can be arranged in either fixed or draw-out configurations, depending on maintenance and operational requirements. The draw-out type is especially favored in critical operations, as it allows for easy maintenance and quick replacement of faulty components without disrupting the entire system.
Each motor Fidder in the MCC panel is individually protected and controlled, with provisions for manual or automatic operation, fault protection, and status indication. The panel provides features such as thermal overload protection, short-circuit protection, earth fault protection, and remote or local motor start/stop control. Indicator lamps, push buttons, and metering instruments are commonly integrated for operational feedback and safety.
An APFC (Automatic Power Factor Control) Panel is an electrical panel used to improve the power factor of a system by automatically switching capacitor banks on or off depending on the load requirements. Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power and is a key indicator of how efficiently electrical power is being used. A low power factor results in higher electricity bills and inefficient energy usage.
The APFC panel helps maintain the power factor close to unity (1.0), which is ideal. It monitors the reactive power in the system using a power factor controller and then activates the appropriate combination of capacitors to offset the reactive load. This automatic adjustment helps reduce penalties from utility companies and improves overall energy efficiency.
Typically, an APFC panel consists of capacitor banks, contactors, MCBs/MCCBs, detuning reactors (in harmonic-rich environments), and a power factor controller. The panel is also equipped with protective relays and indicators for safe operation and monitoring. It may include features like real-time monitoring, fault alarms, and auto/manual control modes.
A Machine Automation Panel is an essential control unit designed to manage and automate the operation of industrial machines and processes. It serves as the central interface between the operator, control system, and machinery, enabling precise, efficient, and safe operation of automated equipment. These panels are commonly used in manufacturing, packaging, material handling, CNC machinery, and other automated production environments.
The panel typically houses key automation components such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), motor drives (VFDs/servo drives), relays, sensors, and power supplies. These components work together to monitor input signals, execute programmed logic, and control output devices like motors, actuators, valves, and conveyors.
A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) / DCS (Distributed Control System) Panel is a specialized control panel used for automating complex industrial processes. It serves as the interface between field instruments and the control system, processing input signals, executing logic, and sending output commands to operate machinery and systems. These panels are commonly used in industries such as oil & gas, power generation, water treatment, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
PLC Panels are built around PLC units, which are rugged, programmable devices capable of handling discrete and analog signals. These panels house components like PLC CPUs, I/O modules, relays, terminal blocks, power supplies, communication ports, and wiring terminals. HMI (Human Machine Interface) screens are often included to allow operators to monitor and interact with the system in real time.
DCS Panels, on the other hand, are used in more complex, large-scale systems where control is distributed across multiple nodes or subsystems. While PLC panels are often used for machine-level or batch process control, DCS panels are designed for continuous process control and plant-wide automation, offering high levels of scalability, redundancy, and real-time data handling.
A Fidder Pillar is an outdoor electrical cabinet used for the distribution and control of electrical power in low-voltage (LV) systems. It acts as an intermediary point between the main power supply (like a transformer or substation) and end-user loads, such as street lighting systems, small buildings, commercial establishments, or industrial equipment.
Typically installed in open environments, Fidder pillars are built with robust, weatherproof enclosures—often made from galvanized steel or stainless steel—and carry a suitable Ingress Protection (IP) rating such as IP54 or IP65. This ensures safe and reliable operation even in harsh weather conditions, dusty environments, or outdoor applications.
Inside the Fidder pillar, you’ll find circuit breakers, fuses, contactors, terminal blocks, busbars, and cable glands arranged in a structured layout. Each outgoing Fidder circuit is protected individually, allowing for safe maintenance, isolation, and control of different parts of the system without affecting the entire supply.
