Multi-tap connection and disconnection system

Abstract

A multi-tap system configured to be installed within a motor control center (MCC) of an industrial automation system includes a main line. The main line includes a plurality of multi-tap make-and-break devices connected by a main line cable. Each of the multi-tap make-and-break devices includes a first network component and a second network component. The first network component is configured to form a first subnetwork on the main line. The second network component is configured to couple an MCC detachable unit and to form a second subnetwork on a branch line connecting one or more nodes within the MCC detachable unit. The multi-tap make-and-break device is configured to couple the MCC detachable unit to the second network component and to decouple the MCC detachable unit from the second network component without interrupting the first subnetwork.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a motor control center (MCC) for an industrial automation system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a multi-tap connect and disconnect system for connecting a removable MCC unit to an MCC of an industrial automation system and disconnecting the removable MCC unit from the MCC of the industrial automation system. Background Art

[0002] Industrial automation systems can be used to provide automatic control of one or more actuators. A controller can output a regulated power signal to an actuator to control the movement of the actuator. Multiple controllers of an industrial automation system can be combined together with other components and housed in an enclosure to form an MCC. The MCC is divided into vertical sections, where each section is further divided into one or more buckets. The buckets are configured to receive units (e.g., industrial automation equipment). Various components and / or units of the MCC and components within these units can communicate with each other via a wired network or subnet. For example, multi-tap cables can pass through the enclosure of the MCC and be communicatively coupled to units within the MCC and / or components within the units. If a unit of the MCC is inserted or removed for an extended period of time, inserting or removing the unit may interfere with the network and / or subnet. Therefore, there is a need for methods of inserting a unit into an MCC and removing a unit from an MCC without interfering with the network and / or subnet. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one embodiment, a multi-tap system is configured to be installed within a motor control center (MCC) of an industrial automation system. The multi-tap system includes a main line that includes a plurality of multi-tap connect and disconnect devices connected by a main line cable. Each of the multi-tap connect and disconnect devices includes a main line network component and a sub-network component. The main line network component is configured to form a multi-tap network including a plurality of MCC units on the main line. The sub-network component is configured to couple an MCC removable unit and form an independent sub-network on a branch line connecting one or more nodes within the MCC removable unit. The multi-tap connect and disconnect devices are configured to couple the MCC removable unit to the sub-network component and decouple the MCC removable unit from the sub-network component without interrupting the multi-tap network.

[0004] In another embodiment, an apparatus for providing a backbone subnet and one or more branch subnets within a motor control center (MCC) of an industrial automation system includes: a first network component configured to form a backbone subnet on a backbone; and a second network component configured to couple an MCC removable unit and form a branch subnet on a branch connecting one or more nodes within the MCC removable unit; and to decouple the MCC removable unit from the branch subnet without interrupting the backbone subnet.

[0005] In yet another embodiment, a system includes a motor control center (MCC) and a multi-tap system. The multi-tap system includes a backbone that includes a plurality of multi-tap make-and-break devices connected by backbone cables, each of the multi-tap make-and-break devices including: a first network component configured to form a first subnet on the backbone; and a second network component configured to couple an MCC removable unit mounted in a bucket of the MCC and form a second subnet on a branch connecting one or more nodes within the MCC removable unit, wherein the multi-tap make-and-break device is configured to couple the MCC removable unit to the second network component and decouple the MCC removable unit from the second network component without interrupting the first subnet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present embodiments will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the drawings, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an industrial automation system according to an embodiment presented herein;

[0008] Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of an MCC according to an embodiment presented herein;

[0009] Figure 3 is according to an embodiment presented herein in Figure 2 a perspective view of a portion of a multi-tap cable used in an MCC;

[0010] Figure 4 is according to an embodiment presented herein Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the multi-tap cable shown;

[0011] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a multi-tap make-and-break system having a subnet backbone and a tap topology according to an embodiment presented herein;

[0012] Figure 6is a block diagram of a multi-tap make-and-break device according to an embodiment presented herein;

[0013] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an MCC according to an embodiment presented herein, where one of the buckets is connected to a multi-tap cable via a multi-tap make-and-break device; and

[0014] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an MCC with two buckets connected to a multi-tap cable via a multi-tap make-and-break device according to an embodiment presented herein. Detailed Embodiments

[0015] One or more specific embodiments will be described below. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It should be understood that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting system-related constraints and business-related constraints, which may vary depending on the implementation. Additionally, it should be understood that such development efforts may be complex and time-consuming, but for those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from this disclosure, such development efforts would still be routine tasks in design, manufacturing, and production.

[0016] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there is one or more elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0017] An industrial automation system can utilize a controller to output a regulated electrical signal to one or more actuators to control the movement of the actuators. The controller can be combined with other components in a housing or enclosure to form a motor control center (MCC) that controls the movement of multiple actuators. The enclosure of the MCC can be divided into one or more vertical sections, where each section is further divided into one or more buckets that are configured to receive units (e.g., variable frequency drives (VFDs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs), contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnect devices, short circuit protectors, etc.). A multi-tap cable can be routed through the enclosure of the MCC and communicatively coupled to the units within the MCC and, in some cases, communicatively coupled to components within the units to establish a subnet or network that is part of another network of the MCC. The subnet is a multi-tap network. If a unit of the MCC is inserted or removed for too long a period, inserting or removing the unit may interfere with the network and / or subnet.

[0018] The disclosed technology includes a multi-tap connect and disconnect device for coupling a removable MCC unit to a multi-tap cable. Specifically, the multi-tap cable can be used as a backbone and can include conductors forming: a single-pair Ethernet (SPE) pair that facilitates data communication between components of a subnet; a switched power (SP) pair that provides power to one or more actuating components of devices within the subnet; a network power (NP) pair that provides power to network components of devices within the subnet; and a select line that manages communication via the SPE pair. The multi-tap connect and disconnect device includes a first network module and a second network module. The first network module is configured to provide a backbone network (e.g., a main network) connection, and the second network module is configured to provide a spur subnetwork (e.g., a secondary network) connection for the removable unit such that adding or removing the removable unit on the network does not interrupt the backbone network connection. The spur subnetwork allows peer-to-peer communication between nodes within the subnet and allows the nodes to receive commands from the backbone network. The multi-tap connect and disconnect device enables multiple nodes to be added to the subnet within the MCC removable unit, to which various components (e.g., variable frequency drives (VFDs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), programmable automation controllers (PACs), contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnect devices, short circuit protectors, etc.) can be connected. Additionally, the multi-tap connect and disconnect device enables the removable MCC unit to be coupled to the portion decoupled from the multi-tap cable in a manner that does not interfere with the network or subnet within the MCC. In some embodiments, the multi-tap connect and disconnect device can be applied to any multi-tap network type, such as CAN, LIN, RS-485, single-pair Ethernet, etc.

[0019] By way of introduction, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example industrial automation system 10 in which the embodiments described herein can be implemented. As shown, the industrial automation system 10 includes a controller 12 and an actuator 14 (e.g., a motor). The industrial automation system 10 may also include a power supply 16 or be coupled to a power supply १६. The power supply 16 can include a generator, a battery (or other electrical storage device), or an external power grid. Although Figure 1 the controller 12 shown in Figure 2It is combined with other components in the (shown and described) to control multiple actuators. In this embodiment, the controller 12 includes a user interface 18 such as a human-machine interface (HMI) and a control system 20, and the control system 20 may include a memory 22 and a processor 24. The controller 12 may include a cabinet or some other enclosure for housing various components of the industrial automation system 10 such as motor starters, disconnect switches, etc.

[0020] The control system 20 can be programmed (e.g., via computer-readable code or instructions stored on the memory 22 and configured to be executed by the processor 24) to provide signals for driving the motor 14. In certain embodiments, the control system 20 can be programmed according to the specific configuration desired for a particular application. For example, the control system 20 can be programmed to respond to external inputs such as reference signals, alarms, command / status signals, etc. The external inputs can originate from one or more relays or other electronic devices. The programming of the control system 20 can be accomplished through software configurations or firmware code that can be loaded into the internal memory 22 of the control system 20 or programmed via the user interface 18 of the controller 12. The control system 20 can respond to a defined set of operating parameters. The settings of various operating parameters determine the operating characteristics of the controller 12. For example, various operating parameters can determine the speed or torque of the motor 14, or can determine how the controller 12 responds to various external inputs. Thus, the operating parameters can be used to map control variables within the controller 12 or to control other devices communicatively coupled to the controller 12. These variables can include, for example, speed presets, feedback types and values, calculated gains and variables, algorithm adjustments, status and feedback variables, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) such as control programming, etc.

[0021] In some embodiments, the controller 12 can be communicatively coupled to one or more sensors 26 for detecting operating temperature, voltage, current, pressure, flow rate, etc. within the industrial automation system 10. Using the feedback data from the sensors, the control system 20 can maintain a detailed track of the various conditions under which the industrial automation system 10 may operate. For example, the feedback data may include conditions such as actual motor speed, voltage, frequency, power quality, alarm conditions, etc.

[0022] As mentioned above, in some complex industrial automation systems 10, one or more controllers and / or other industrial automation components (e.g., variable frequency drives (VFDs), PLCs, programmable automation controllers (PACs), contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnect devices, short circuit protectors, etc.) can be combined into an enclosure or cabinet and are referred to as an MCC. Figure 2It is a front view of an embodiment of the MCC 100. As shown, the MCC 100 includes a housing 102 that is divided into vertical portions 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116. Each portion can be further divided into one or more buckets 118, 120, 122, 124 that can be configured to receive units. These units can include industrial automation components configured to perform industrial automation functions. Thus, these units can include, for example, motor controllers, VFDs, PLCs, PACs, contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnecting devices, short circuit protectors, etc. In some embodiments, the size of each bucket 118, 120, 122, 124 can be customized to the type of unit that the buckets 118, 120, 122, 124 are configured to receive. In other embodiments, different MCCs 100 can be preconfigured with buckets of different sizes that are available. As shown, the cabinet doors 126 of some buckets can include disconnect switches 128 for disconnecting the corresponding units from the MCC 100. Thus, in order to remove a unit, the user can actuate the disconnect switch 128 (e.g., from "closed" to "open") to electrically disconnect the unit from the MCC 100. Then, the user can open the cabinet door 126 and physically remove the unit from the housing 102. If the unit is replaced with a different unit, the new unit can be physically installed in the bucket 124, the cabinet door 126 is closed, and the disconnect switch 128 is actuated (e.g., from "open" to "closed").

[0023] The units within the MCC 100 can be joined to a wired subnet by coupling to one or more multi-tap cables that extend through the MCC housing 102. In some embodiments, one or more multi-tap cables can also extend within the units to communicatively couple components within the units. Figure 3 Depicts for use in Figure 2Part of a multi-tap cable 200 used within an MCC 100. The illustrated portion of the multi-tap cable 200 may include one or more multi-tap make-and-break devices 202 positioned along a transmission line 204. Each multi-tap make-and-break device 202 may include a first terminal 205, a second terminal 207, and a third terminal 206. The first terminal 205 and the second terminal 207 are connected to the transmission line 204. The third terminal 206 is configured to receive an MCC detachable unit including one or more industrial devices (not shown). In some embodiments, the multi-tap make-and-break device 202 has a T shape. In some embodiments, the multi-tap make-and-break device 202 may include a connector component and a make-and-break component. The connector component includes the first terminal and the second terminal connected to the transmission line 204. The make-and-break component includes the third terminal for receiving the MCC detachable unit. The make-and-break component may be removably coupled to the connector component. In some embodiments, the third terminal 206 of the multi-tap make-and-break device 202 may be referred to as a "tap", and the portion of the transmission line 204 extending between the first terminal 205 and the second terminal 207 may be referred to as the "main line" 210. Thus, the term "multi-tap" in the multi-tap cable 200 refers to the cable 200 having multiple multi-tap make-and-break devices 202 to which components may be connected. In some embodiments, the multi-tap make-and-break device 202 may enable multiple nodes to be added to the multi-tap cable 200 at a single tap (e.g., multiple nodes may be coupled to a cable in a single line that is coupled to the multi-tap cable 200 at one multi-tap make-and-break device 202). In some embodiments, the multi-tap cable 200 may include a long main line 210 between taps 202, or may not include taps 202 at all, such that new taps 202 may be added as needed. The multi-tap make-and-break device 202 is configured to enable communication through the main line 210 and to generate another subnet as a "branch" line for connecting and disconnecting the MCC detachable unit without interfering with the network or subnet of the MCC. The transmission line 204 may include electrical conductors 208A to 208G. It should be noted that different numbers of multi-tap make-and-break devices 202 may be used in different embodiments of the multi-tap cable 200 in the MCC 100.

[0024] The multi-drop cable 200 can facilitate communication between nodes using various communication protocols. Accordingly, the number of conductors and the arrangement of the conductors of the transmission line 204 can vary based on the communication protocol used by the MCC 100. For example, the multi-drop cable 200 can use the Industrial Ethernet network protocol (Ethernet / IP). Each of the multi-drop connect and disconnect devices 202 can include a respective tap circuit that can facilitate connection of various industrial automation components to the transmission line 204 of the multi-drop cable 200. The multi-drop connect and disconnect devices can facilitate power transfer and / or communication between the input / output signals of the respective nodes and the transmission line 204 of the multi-drop cable 200.

[0025] The MCC 100 can use the multi-drop cable 200 to facilitate data communication between different numbers of nodes of different configurations and different orientations. For example, the MCC 100 can communicatively connect motor controllers, VFDs, PLCs, PACs, contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnect devices, short circuit protectors, etc. within the MCC 100 using one or more multi-drop cables 200. Additionally, the nodes can be of any shape or form as long as the connection complies with the communication protocol of the multi-drop cable 200. For example, the sensor 26 ( Figure 1 as shown) can be positioned on the tap circuit, and the tap circuit can be connected to the slot 206 of the multi-drop connect and disconnect device 202 to communicate with one or more other nodes connected to the multi-drop cable 200 via the transmission line 204.

[0026] Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the transmission line 204 of the multi-drop cable 200 using the Ethernet / IP protocol is depicted. It should be noted that the multi-drop cable 200 is not intended to be limited to the Ethernet / IP protocol or Figure 4 the depicted conductors 208A through 208G as shown. In different embodiments, the multi-drop cable 200 can employ other communication protocols and / or other combinations of conductors. Additionally, the transmission line 204 can include cables having different wire gauges or conductive materials for different applications.

[0027] The transmission line 204 may include a single-pair Ethernet (SPE) conductor 302, a switched power supply (SP) pair 304, a network power (NP) pair of conductors 306A and 306B, and a select line conductor 308. The SPE 302 may include a first conductor and a second conductor to enable the transmission of differential signals. In some embodiments, the SPE 302 may be a single-pair Ethernet cable, and the SP 304 as well as the NP 306A and NP 306B may carry direct current (DC) power. The SPE 302 conductors may transmit communication signals, and the SP 304 conductors may transmit signals in the form of a switched power supply between different nodes. In some embodiments, the SPE 302 and / or the SP 304 may deliver power to one or more nodes to power actuators, contactors, sounders, etc. The NP 306A conductor and the NP 306B conductor may provide power to one or more nodes. In some embodiments, the NP 306A conductor and the NP 306B conductor may power the communication circuits and / or microcontrollers of the corresponding one or more nodes. Additionally, the select line conductor 308 may transmit select line signals to facilitate the identification and configuration of nodes. The select line conductor 308 may transmit communication signals through the SPE 302 conductors and / or the SP 304 conductors and / or facilitate the communication or transmission of power signals. For example, the select line conductor 308 may include an identification number associated with the selection of nodes on the multi-tap cable 200. It should be noted that in different examples, the nodes selected by the select line conductor 308 may perform different functions associated with the selected nodes.

[0028] Figure 5 is a block diagram of a multi-tap connect and disconnect system 500 having a subnet trunk and a tap topology according to an illustrative embodiment. The multi-tap connect and disconnect system 500 includes a plurality of multi-tap connect and disconnect devices 501 connected in series via a network cable to form a subnet trunk 509. The subnet trunk 509 may include a terminator 503. Each multi-tap connect and disconnect device 501 is configured to be able to communicate via the subnet trunk 509 and create another subnet via a subnet branch 507. The subnet branch 507 enables the detachable unit 505 to be connected or disconnected from the multi-tap connect and disconnect device 501 without disturbing the communication on the subnet trunk 509. The detachable unit 505 may include one or more nodes that may communicate with each other via the subnet branch 507 and communicate with other units or devices in the multi-tap connect and disconnect system 500 via the combination of the subnet branch 507 and the subnet trunk 509.

[0029] Figure 6It is a block diagram of a multi-tap connect and disconnect device 600 according to an illustrative embodiment. The multi-tap connect and disconnect device 600 includes a memory 601, a processor 603, an input / output component 609, a first network component 607, and a second network component 605. In various embodiments, one or more of the memory 601, the processor 603, the input / output component 609, the first network component 607, and the second network component 605 may be electrically coupled and / or communicatively coupled to each other to perform one or more of the functions of the multi-tap connect and disconnect device 600. In some embodiments, the components 609, 607, and 605 may include software / firmware instructions stored on the memory 601 and executed by the processor 603.

[0030] The input / output component 609 may include three terminal components. The first terminal component and the second terminal component are connected to a subnet trunk cable and are configured to transmit communication signals through the trunk subnet. The third terminal component is configured to be connected to a removable unit and transmit communication signals through a branch subnetwork.

[0031] The first network component 607 includes a first physical layer (PHY) circuit that is configured to form a trunk subnet and enable communication through the trunk subnet. The second network component 605 includes a second PHY circuit that is configured to form a branch subnetwork and enable communication through the branch subnetwork.

[0032] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the MCC 100 is shown, where the MCC removable unit 402 installed in the bucket is connected to the multi-tap cable 200 via the multi-tap connect and disconnect device 600. As shown, the MCC 100 includes buckets 118, 120, 122, 124 that house the MCC removable unit 402. The buckets 118, 120, 122, and 124 are connected to the subnet via the multi-tap connect and disconnect device 600 of the multi-tap cable 200 through the line 570, and include various devices 502, 504, 506, 508, 510 that are connected to each other via the multi-tap trunk cable 200 and the branch cable 201 within the buckets 118, 120, 122, 124. As previously described, if an operator of the MCC 100 wishes to insert or remove a bucket without disturbing the subnet, or add more nodes to the subnet, the operator can utilize the disclosed multi-tap connect and disconnect device 600. In Figure 7In the illustrated embodiment, buckets 120 and 124 include a multi-tap drop cable 201 that forms a single-wire communication path within buckets 120, 124, and this multi-tap drop cable 201 connects devices 504, 506, 508, 510. Devices 502, 504, 506, 508, and 510 can include, for example, motor controllers, VFDs, PLCs, PACs, contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnecting devices, short-circuit protectors, interfaces, indicators, buttons, switches, displays, sensors, etc. Although installed in Figure 7 The MCC detachable unit 402 in the illustrated buckets 120 and 124 includes four nodes 504, 506, 508, and 520, but it should be understood that the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the buckets 118, 120, 122, 124 of the MCC 100 can include any number of nodes. For example, embodiments are contemplated in which the MCC detachable unit 402 includes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more nodes.

[0033] The multi-tap make-and-break device 600 forms a first subnet through the trunk cable 200 and one or more second subnets through the drop cable 201. The trunk 200 enables communication between buckets 118, 120, 122, and 124. The drop 201 enables communication between the nodes (e.g., nodes 504, 506, 408, and 510) within each bucket. When the drop 201 is added to or removed from the multi-tap make-and-break device 600, the subnet communication on the trunk 200 is not interrupted.

[0034] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of an MCC 100 with two MCC detachable units 402 installed in two corresponding buckets 118, 120 is shown, and the buckets 118, 120 are connected to the multi-tap cable 200 via the multi-tap make-and-break device 600. As shown, power from the power supply 16 and control signals generated by the PLC 510 are provided to the gateway 800. The multi-tap cable 200 extends from the gateway 800 through the line 500 to the terminator 602. The first multi-tap make-and-break device 600 is coupled to the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the first bucket 118 and including the interface 802 and the device 504. The interface 802 can include, for example, buttons, knobs, switches, indicator lights, meters, displays, touchscreens, etc. The device 504 in the first bucket 118 can include, for example, motor controllers, VFDs, PLCs, PACs, contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnecting devices, short-circuit protectors, interfaces, indicators, buttons, switches, displays, sensors, etc.

[0035] Similarly, the second multi-tap connection and disconnection device 600 can be coupled to a second MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the second bucket 120 and including an interface 802 and a device 504. Similar to the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the first bucket 118, the interface 802 can include buttons, knobs, switches, indicator lights, meters, displays, touchscreens, etc. However, the interface 802 of the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the second bucket 120 can be the same as or different from the interface 802 of the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the first bucket 118. Similar to the first bucket 118, the device 504 in the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the second bucket 120 can include, for example, motor controllers, VFDs, PLCs, PACs, contactors, starters, overload protection components, fuses, circuit breakers, disconnection devices, short-circuit protectors, interfaces, indicators, buttons, switches, displays, sensors, etc. Similarly, the device 504 in the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the second bucket 120 can be the same as or different from the device 504 in the MCC detachable unit 402 installed in the first bucket 118. In addition, the multi-tap cables 200 in different buckets can have different numbers of nodes for different configurations of components. For example, the multi-tap cable 200 in the first bucket 118 can include four nodes, while the second multi-tap cable 200 in the second bucket 120 can include three nodes, which is based on what devices the operator wishes to include and how many new nodes.

[0036] Although only certain features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the embodiments described herein.

[0037] The technology presented and claimed herein is cited and applied to specific examples of physical objects and actual properties, which significantly improve the technical field and are thus not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Further, if any claim appended at the end of this specification includes one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] [function]..." or "step for [performing] [function]...", such elements are intended to be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claim that includes elements designated in any other way, such elements are not intended to be interpreted in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. A multi-tap system configured to be installed within a motor control center (MCC) of an industrial automation system, comprising: A main line including a plurality of multi-tap make-and-break devices connected by a main line cable, wherein each of the multi-tap make-and-break devices has a T-shaped configuration and includes: A first network component including a first network physical layer circuit configured to implement communication on the main line; A first terminal and a second terminal configured to be connected to the first network component and configured to transmit communication signals on the main line, wherein the first terminal is configured to be connected to a first end of the main line and the second terminal is configured to be connected to a second end of the main line; A second network component including a second network physical layer circuit configured to form an independent branch sub-network and to implement communication through the independent branch sub-network; A third terminal configured to be connected to the second network component and configured to transmit communication signals on the independent branch sub-network, wherein the third terminal is configured to be connected to a detachable MCC unit that will be decoupled without interrupting communication on the main line; and A processor coupled to a memory, the first network component, and the second network component.

2. The multi-tap system according to claim 1, wherein, The main line and a branch line connecting one or more nodes within the detachable MCC unit include a cable, the cable including: A single pair of Ethernet pairs; A network power pair configured to supply power to one or more network components in the device; A switched power pair configured to supply supplementary power to one or more actuating components in the device; and A select line.

3. The multi-tap system according to claim 1, wherein, The detachable MCC unit includes one or more motor controllers, one or more variable frequency drives, one or more programmable logic controllers, one or more programmable automation controllers, one or more contactors, one or more motor starters, one or more overload protection components, one or more fuses, one or more circuit breakers, one or more disconnect switches, one or more short circuit protectors, or a combination thereof.

4. The multi-tap system according to claim 1, wherein, The detachable MCC unit includes one or more buttons, one or more knobs, one or more switches, one or more indicator lights, one or more meters, one or more displays, one or more touchscreens, or a combination thereof.

5. A multi-tap make-and-break device for a motor control center (MCC) of an industrial automation system, having a T-shaped configuration and including: A first network component including a first network physical layer circuit configured to implement communication on a main line; A first terminal and a second terminal configured to be connected to the first network component and configured to transmit communication signals on the main line, wherein the first terminal is configured to be connected to a first end of the main line and the second terminal is configured to be connected to a second end of the main line; A second network component, which includes a second network physical layer circuit, the second network physical layer circuit being configured to: form an independent branch sub-network and implement communication through the independent branch sub-network; A third terminal, which is configured to be connected to the second network component and is configured to transmit communication signals on the independent branch sub-network, wherein the third terminal is configured to be connected to an MCC detachable unit that will be decoupled without interrupting communication on the trunk line; and A processor, coupled to a memory, the first network component, and the second network component.

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