MCC Trunk And Drop Connector For Hot-Swappable Networked Buckets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor control centers (MCCs) face challenges in inserting and removing withdrawable units without disturbing the network or subnet, which can lead to disruptions in communication and power supply.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a trunk and drop connector system that allows MCC withdrawable units to be coupled and decoupled from the multidrop cable without disrupting the network or subnet, by using pins to connect input and output lines to specific conductors while allowing switched power and network power pairs to continue uninterrupted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If withdrawable units are inserted or removed from MCC buckets, then maintenance and reconfiguration flexibility is improved, but network communication and power supply are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a fixed connector that remains attached to the MCC bucket and a removable connector that attaches to the withdrawable unit. This segmentation allows the unit to be removed without disconnecting the entire network cable, maintaining network continuity while enabling maintenance access.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixed connector acts as an intermediary element between the network cable and the withdrawable unit. It provides a permanent attachment point on the MCC side, allowing the removable connector and unit to be detached without affecting the network cable connection, thus serving as a mediator that decouples the removal action from network disruption.
2Device complexity
If traditional cable connections are used for withdrawable units, then structural simplicity is maintained, but unit removal disturbs the network and requires network reconfiguration
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into fixed and removable portions, allowing the withdrawable unit to be independently attached or detached without affecting the permanent network infrastructure. This enables easy unit replacement while maintaining overall system integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design creates a dynamic connection system where the removable connector can be easily attached and detached from the fixed connector, allowing flexible unit replacement operations without requiring permanent cable disconnections or complex reconfiguration procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a multidrop cable and a connector. The connector is configured to couple to one or more MCC withdrawable units installed in one or more respective buckets of an MCC, wherein the connector is configured to couple the one or more MCC withdrawable units to, and decouple the one or more MCC withdrawable units from, the multidrop cable without disrupting a network or a subnet of the MCC.