Month: October 2025

Application

Manual motor starters (also known as motor

protection circuit breakers or manual motor

protectors) protect the load and the installation

against short-circuits and overloads. They are

three pole protection devices with thermal tripping

elements for overload protection and electromagnetic

tripping elements for short-circuit protection.

Furthermore, they provide a disconnect function for

safe isolation of the installation and the supply, and

they can be used for manual switching of loads.

Manual motor starters have a setting scale in amperes,

which allows direct adjusting of the device without any

additional calculation.

In compliance with international and national

standards, the setting current is the rated current of the

motor and not the tripping current.

modules

The MNS iS network is based on distributed microprocessor

modules (MControl) connected through a serial gateway

interface (MLink) to a local Human System Interface (MView)

and to higher level systems.

– MControl: the microprocessor unit performs all the

protection control and monitoring functions and grants

connection to and from each single feeder or motor unit.

– MLink: the MNS iS interface module grants connectivity

from the local control modules to any higher system and

to the local Human System Interface.

– MView: a local Human System Interface based on touch

screen technology providing easy access to all kind of

data and control functions.

The use of the programmable microprocessor based

technology in conjunction with a strong focus on the design

optimization grant an overall reduction of the control and

power components with the advantage of reducing potential

point of failure and spare parts.

The ABB intelligent MCC

The project includes four ABB MNS iS Power and Motor

Control Centers for a total of over 50 sections and 160

feeders in all kind of configurations, from the Direct On Line

starters to the highest version of the ABB softstarters. In

order to optimize the E-house layouts two of the ABB MNS iS

where provided in back to back configuration granting a more

efficient footprint.

MNS iS is the latest evolution of the ABB Low Voltage Power

and Motor Control Center: the “Intelligent switchgear”.

The MNS iS intelligence is guaranteed by the complete

integration and harmonization of all the different control,

protection and data processing functions into the MNS iS

concept.

Results and customer’s benefits

As a result of all the integration and optimization activities,

the WAGP Utorogu and Oben Gas Compressor Stations were

delivered in prefabricated E-houses pretested and preset to

minimize the field installation and start-up activities.

Cable Compartments

Access to integrated components such as electronic protection relays on standard switchgear is usually

not possible if the module is energized.

As an outstanding attribute MNS iS switchgear provides separate compartments,

one for power cables on the right hand and another for control cables on the left hand.

The two cable compart-ments can be provided with different key locks in order to assure specific access

rights.

MNS iS motor/feeder cables are housed in their own power cable compartment completely isol-ated

from any control equipment or wiring.

The cubicle arrangements are configured suitable for front cable access.

The power cable compartment can be provided with cable entry from the top or bottom of the cubicle.

The control cables have their own control cable compartment completely segregated from the power

compartments.

This control compartment also houses the integrated motor control units MControl and other associated

control equipment.

The control wiring can enter from the top or bottom as required for the project. 

External signals (such as pushbuttons, indicators etc.) connect directly to the MControl main board.

Functional separation

The switchboard is divided into vertical and horizontal compartments thus separating different functional

areas.

As even power cabling and control wiring are strictly separated within MNS iS, the switch-board is

structured as follows:

1. Equipment compartment

All equipment, including the standard motor starter modules MStart or feeder modules MFeed in withdrawable design, is situated therein.

The compartment can be divided in horizontal and vertical sub compartments.

2. Control cable compartment

Contains the integrated control devices MControl, control cables and terminals.

3. Power cable compartment

Contains power cables and connection units.

4. Busbar compartment

Contains the MNS main busbar system and distribution bars. The distribution bars are embedded

in the Multifunction Separation Wall (MFW) which is located between the Equipment compartment and

the Busbar compartment

Technical limit values

The device is designed for use exclusively within the values stated on the name plates and within the

technical limit values specified on the data sheets.

The following technical limit values must be observed:

• The Maximum Working Pressure may not be exceeded.

• The Maximum ambient operating temperature may not be exceeded.

• The Maximum process temperature may not be exceeded.

• The housing protection type must be observed.

Warranty provisions

Using the device in a manner that does not fall within the scope of its intended use, disregarding this

manual,using under-qualified personnel, or making unauthorized alterations, releases the manufacturer

from any liability for any resulting damage.

This makes the manufacturer’s warranty null and void.

Improper use

It is prohibited to use the device for the following purposes:

• As a climbing aid, e.g., for mounting purposes

• As a support for external loads, e.g., as a support for pipes, etc.

• Adding material, e.g., by painting over the name plate or welding/soldering on parts

• Removing material, e.g., by drilling the housing.

Repairs, alterations, and enhancements, or the installation of replacement parts, are only permissible as far as these are described in the manual.

Approval by ABB must be requested for any activities beyond this scope. Repairs performed by ABB-authorized centers are excluded from this.

Technical limit values

The device is designed for use exclusively within the values stated on the name plates and within the technical limit values specified on the data sheets.

The following technical limit values must be observed:

• The Maximum Working Pressure may not be exceeded.

• The Maximum ambient operating temperature may not be exceeded.

• The Maximum process temperature may not be exceeded.

• The housing protection type must be observed.

Warranty provisions

Using the device in a manner that does not fall within the scope of its intended use, disregarding this manual,

using under-qualified personnel, or making unauthorized alterations, releases the manufacturer from any liability for any resulting damage.

This makes the manufacturer’s warranty null and void.

Mounting position

Rotations in the plane of the diaphragm have a negligible

effect. A tilt from the vertical of up to 90° causes a zero

point shift of up to 0.5 kPa (5 mbar, 2 inH2O), which can be

corrected by making an appropriate zero position

adjustment. There is no effect on the measuring span.

In applications where a dynamic inclined installation is

required (e.g. naval applications with maximum vessel

inclination of +/-22.5°), the maximum error can be up to 3

mbar for 266DSH

Such error might be resulting in a deviation from the

standard accuracy with percentual magnitude depending

on the range of the selected device.

In case of non-dynamic inclined installations, this effect

can be eliminated by performing a zero calibration in the field.

Please contact ABB to assess more in details on the installation effects