MCE product review

**ians** · 11-Nov-20, 08:36 AM

Stay away from this brand ... The plant was down again yesterday ... burnt contactor coil this time

They dont have an issue with replacing the junk ... however the plant standing time ... electrician cost to replace the contactor and get the plant up and running again ... this product is burning my reputation.

**GQE** · 18-Nov-20, 07:06 PM

Hi Guys, I think its not great to throw a supplier under the bus with comments about MCE products.

I have had great success with the other products in their range, but I would not use a contactor from them in a factory, there I go with bigger brand names.

**ians** · 19-Nov-20, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by GQE

Hi Guys, I think its not great to throw a supplier under the bus with comments about MCE products.

I have had great success with the other products in their range, but I would not use a contactor from them in a factory, there I go with bigger brand names.

I learnt the hard way ... I have just had an overload fail on a cooling tower ... and on the o/l relay the blue pin has popped out.

I would agree ... I made the mistake by using this product in a factory on an essential part ... I suppose I shouldnt blame the manufacturer for my own stupidty ... I should know better

... I did check with the wholesaler prior to purchasing the product ... they did mention that they sold hundreds of these contactors and havent had any issues ... so I took a chance and lost.

So should we agree tha this is a DIY product ... and has a place in the market ?

**ians** · 19-Nov-20, 09:59 AM

Lets talk about ...

the first 3 contactors ... where replaced without an investigation ... so we will move on from them ... however this is starting to cost me moeny and my reputation.

The overload (sent in still attached to the contactor)... sent in for an investigation.

The normally open contact is not working ... you press the overload btton the normally closed ... opens .. the result ... the pumps stop and because they are all linked the pumps and fan stop ... the normally open is connected to a light and siren ... overload trips ... no warning.

The other overload with an issue ... but working ... the oveload pin doesnt stay in ... so it is held in with prestik.

The contactor ... sent in for investgation.

The coil is burnt out completely ... the contactor is one of 3 connected in parallel ... the other 2 are still operating (this plant runs at least 5 days 24/7) ... replaced blown one with a bigger contactor even though the total load is only 3.7 amps.

If the power was an issue all 3 contactors running together should have burnt out ... why only the one coil? I even made a point of leaving a gap between them to reduce heat ... just thought about it ... I am going to site this morning with my thermal imager to check the temp insid ethe panels.

**ians** · 19-Nov-20, 10:42 AM

This has got me into investigation mode...

I uploaded the thermal scans I took of the pump control panel.

1/ The temp of the contactor (fan ... problem one) is less than both the pump conatactors.

2/ The only difference between the pump contactors and the fan contactor is the clear cover supplied on the contactors ... to prevent accidentally pushing in the contactor.

I am going to go to site ... measure the voltage from the top to the bottom of the contactor ... then from the bottom of the contactor to the bottom of the overload ... then test the voltage on all the coils ... do a thermal scan of the panel again ... load test the pumps and the fan and record everything.

**ians** · 11-Dec-20, 09:35 AM

I moved the contactors and overloads in the DB ... but too scared to switch off and restart to test... the plant closes today so I can do the mods over the weekend.

When the plant closes I will be removing the D curve breakers and overload relays ... replacing them with motor starter breakers mounted in the main DB (reducing the amount of gear in the DB and control panel) ... Replacing the Contractors with a diffrent brand and modifying the wiring to suit ... lets hope this will resolve the issues.

We live and learn.

**ians** · 19-Nov-20, 10:49 AM

I am open to any suggestions to get to the bottom of this and determine if it is the power or control gear.

I agree it is not fair to throw a supplier under the bus without a fair investigation ... so lets investigate

I look forward to the report from the supplier ... for the record the units were handed in a week ago 12/11/2020.

**ians** · 11-Dec-20, 09:39 AM

MCE did offer to replace everything ... unfortunatley I cannot afford to take a chance and therfore declined their offer.

**ians** · 26-Nov-20, 08:29 AM

Back to site yesterday AGAIN

I want to give this product the benefit of the doubt ... however yesterday I purchased 4 new brand new MCE 12 amp contactors (230 VAC coils) ... 1 out of the 3 faulty out the packaging ... yes I know they will replace it free but come on.

I did some tests on the units ... top to bottom of the contactor ... on average 20 mVAC ... top of contactor to the bottom of the o/l relay on average around 300 mVAC.

Did thermal tests on the units while running ... depending on the load and type of enclosure ... and the applications ... between 30 and 70 degrees C.

A note ... some of the contactors ... are used for dryers which have a set point of 85 degrees C and switching often ... the temperature in the panel is around 50 degrees C.

Averything seems normal if you take into consideration the application.

However something I did notice while carrying out the test ... the blue flashes as the units switch ... not normal ... it reminds me of crabtree plugs switches back in the 90's.

I need to find a data sheet for this product and check if the model is correct for the constant switching and load.

I decided to contact the technical department if we can resolve these issues.

**ians** · 23-Dec-20, 07:36 PM

Removed the last of the MCE products today ...tomorrow I collect the new control panel and start building the new panel ... hopefully by monday morning it is ready to install ... by Tuesday we can start commisioning.