ABB MNS iS motor control center
ABB’s innovative MNS iS conceptcombines the long term experience,
energy efficiency, grid reliability and
industrial productivity of the well known
MNS system with advanced design in
hardware and software technologies.
High protection and safety
MNS iS and its clear segregation of power and
control compartments offers highest personal,
system and supervision safety possibilities.
Standardization
Maximum simplicity due to standardized power
modules – fully assembled and ready to use for
a wide range of motor starter and energy
distribution modules.
Lower lifecycle costs
These are defined in three ways; less downtime,
less fault finding and less inventory.
Information variety
MNS iS offers latest HMI technology, remote
management, innovative plug and produce
technology and real time plant condition
monitoring.
Complete solution
ABB offers the possibility to provide an all in
one solution when MNS iS is used in conjunction
with other power and automation technologies
from ABB.
Pro-active maintenance
MNS iS with Condition Monitoring indicates
conditions before a failure occurs, enabling
pro-active maintenance possibilities.
User friendliness
MNS iS provides integrated user tasks, like
module supervision, lifecycle management,
contact temperature supervision and
power loss supervision.
Less engineering complexity
MNS iS is the easiest way to plan, engineer and
manage a low voltage switchgear system.
Project implementation
MNS iS helps you to reduce your project costs by
offering a shorter project duration due to high
standardization and reduced engineering.

Measurement variables
Selectable temperature, current and voltage
measurement for various protection needs
for both motor and the switchgear itself.
No traditional transformers are utilized
for any measurements.
Information distribution as required
Industry standard communication interfaces,
such as Profibus DP, ProfiNet, Modbus RTU,
Modbus TCP and OPC are available, enabling site
wide distribution of information (operator,
maintenance, management).
System accessibility with ‘off the shelf’
web browser based devices
With an inbuilt web server functionality, the user
can select any web browser based device to
interrogate the system.
User friendliness
Self supervision of module location, module type,
power rating and automatic installation onto the
communication network.
MNS iS motor control center solution delivers
all the functions for control, protection and
monitoring of the motors and motor starters
using software and hardware modules for the
specific tasks. Right information is provided to
the right people at the right time.
Hardware modules are designed to fulfill desired
tasks (power module containing electrical parts
e.g. to isolate power, control module containing
software applications etc. to control a motor).
System functions are provided as functional
modules to be downloaded to the control module.
Only required functions are downloaded while
others are available as options.
System functionality may be enhanced at any
time without the requirement for additional
hardware or wiring.
Time synchronization with a time server in the
plant or locally in the switchboard allows accurate
time stamps of alarms and events collected in the
control module.
Module and location supervision are available
as a standard. These functions ensure the
corresponding power and control modules are
installed to the correct location for the particular
motor/feeder application.
Maintenance functions are an integral part of
the system. Asset monitors measuring system
performance data (e.g. outgoing line
temperature, number of insertions) allow
scheduling of maintenance activities only if
they are really required.
The flexibility of the system allows modifications
by a simple “plug and produce” concept.
Exchanging the modules or changing the
parameter settings is easily achieved by using
system inherent functions and tools.

The power module MStart/MFeed comprises:
• The electrical isolator.
• The short circuit protection device (fuses or
circuit breaker).
• Contactor and any electrical control equipment
and status indication.
• The sensor module (measuring the electrical
values, which are then available to the process
via the MControl module).
The integrated motor controller module MControl
(located in the control compartment) comprises:
• The processor performing all the protection,
control functions and monitoring functions. It
exchanges information with the MStart/MFeed
via an internal bus.
• I/O interface modules providing an interface to
external components for control, protection
and indication.
The interface module MLink serves as the
gateway to higher level systems which
communicate via the internal bus to
all MControl modules.
A local human system interface MView is available
to monitor the MNS iS status and display
information on each connected motor/feeder.
MNS iS as part of the ABB low voltage switchgear
solution uses the well proven ABB MNS standard
design aspects. MNS aspects described in this
section are fully applicable to MNS iS.
MNS system is a verified low voltage switchgear
design in accordance with IEC 61439 series and
IEC 61641.
The consistent application of the modular
principle both in electrical and mechanical design
as well as the use of standardized components
allows its flexible and compact design.
Depending on operating and environmental
conditions different design levels are offered.
Notable system advantages with regard to
design aspects:
• Optimum personal protection
• Design verified by testing
• Arc fault containment acc. criteria 1-7
• High operational reliability and availability
• Earthquake-, vibration- and shock-proof
designs are available
• Maintenance-free busbar construction
• Simple retrofitting procedures
• Compact, space-saving design
• Easy project and detail engineering through
standardised components

Multifunction wall
The multifunction separation wall (MFW) with the
embedded distribution bars is a unique ABB
design. It constitutes a complete barrier between
the main busbars and the equipment
compartment.
The distribution bars are fully phase segregated
and insulated. This design makes it virtually
impossible for an arc to pass between
distribution bar phases or between main busbars
and equipment compartment. The insulation
material is CFC and halogen free, it is also flameretardant and self-extinguishing.
Contact openings are finger proof (IP 2X) so that
personal safety is guaranteed even when modules
are removed.
With the use of MNS specific power contact
housings full individual phase segregation is
assured prior to the connection of the power
contacts to the distribution bars (see page 23
for details).
System highlights
• Maintenance free busbar construction
• Easy switchgear extension
• Main busbar arrangement at the rear
thus assuring
- maximum safety to personnel
- effective withstand against highest stresses
in case of short circuit
- optimum heat dissipation
• Gas tight seals for connection from the
equipment compartment to the main
busbar system
• Option for Form 4 separation for both incoming
and outgoing assemblies
• Active and passive arc fault prevention tested
according to IEC 61641
• Isolating materials are free of CFC
and halogens