ABB MNS Low Voltage Switchgear

 

Product Overview

ABB MNS® Low Voltage Switchgear is a modular low-voltage switchgear system designed for high safety, reliability, availability, and long-term operational performance. Since its introduction in 1973, ABB has delivered approximately 1.7 million MNS cubicles worldwide, making it one of the most widely used low-voltage switchgear platforms.

The MNS system is verified according to IEC 61439-1/-2 and is designed for demanding applications in process industries, infrastructure, utilities, and commercial facilities. It provides flexible incoming and outgoing configurations, advanced internal separation, arc fault protection, and digital condition monitoring.

With the integration of MNS Digital and ABB Ability™ CMES, the system enables predictive maintenance, temperature monitoring, asset health analysis, and plant-wide electrical system supervision. MNS is also designed to be earthquake, vibration, and shock-proof, supporting reliable operation in harsh industrial environments.

Product Features

Modular and Verified Switchgear Platform

MNS is a modular switchgear assembly verified according to IEC standards and designed for flexible system configuration.

Key features include:

· Modular cubicle structure

· IEC 61439-1/-2 design and routine verification

· Front access and rear access configurations

· Flexible cubicle width and depth options

· Forms of internal separation up to Form 4b

· Maintenance-free frame and busbar construction

High Operational Safety

ABB follows a safety philosophy focused on preventing failures and limiting damage if failures occur.

Safety features include:

· Arc fault containment

· Arc Ignition Protected Zone

· Multi-Functional Wall

· Internal separation

· IP protection up to IP54

· Remote operation options

· Condition monitoring

· Verified arc fault performance according to IEC TR 61641

Advanced Arc Fault Protection

MNS provides passive, active, and preventive arc fault mitigation solutions.

Arc protection methods include:

· Reinforced mechanical structures

· Arc gas containment and redirection

· Arc Ignition Protected Zone

· Arc Guard System™ TVOC-2

· Fast light and current detection

· Remote racking and operation

· Condition monitoring to reduce personnel exposure

Digital Condition Monitoring

MNS Digital integrates intelligent devices into plant-wide monitoring and control systems.

Supported devices include:

· Emax 2 air circuit breakers

· Emax 3 air circuit breakers

· Tmax XT molded case circuit breakers

· UMC100.3 motor controllers

Digital functions include:

· Real-time monitoring

· Predictive maintenance

· Condition-based maintenance

· Temperature monitoring

· Asset health analysis

· Event and alarm notifications

· Integration with ABB Ability™ CMES

High Availability and Fast Maintenance

MNS withdrawable module technology supports fast replacement and high system availability.

Advantages include:

· Withdrawable modules exchangeable in less than 1 minute

· Module replacement without de-energizing the switchgear

· Reduced downtime

· High process availability

· Flexible outgoing module options

· Independently verified power contacts for 1000 insertions

Flexible Application Coverage

MNS is suitable for both process industry and infrastructure applications.

Typical process industry applications include:

· Oil and gas

· Chemical and petrochemical

· Pharmaceutical

· Power generation

· Water treatment

· Metals and mining

· Marine

· Food and beverage

· Paper industry

Typical infrastructure applications include:

· Data centers

· Airports

· Hospitals

· Office buildings

· Shopping centers

· Rail systems

· Tunnel systems

 

Main Functions

Power Distribution

MNS provides low-voltage power distribution for industrial and infrastructure systems through configurable incoming and outgoing modules.

It supports:

· Main power distribution

· Sub-distribution

· Motor control centers

· Feeder distribution

· Data center power distribution

· Process plant electrical distribution

Incoming Power Control

MNS supports several incoming device options.

Available incoming devices include:

· Emax 2 air circuit breakers

· Emax 3 air circuit breakers

· Tmax XT molded case circuit breakers

· OT switch-disconnectors

· Stationary earthing switches for maintenance safety

Outgoing Feeder and Motor Control

MNS offers multiple outgoing module types for different availability and maintenance requirements.

Outgoing module types include:

· Withdrawable modules

· Plug-in modules

· Fixed modules

· MNS Compact modules

· Slimline XRG fused distribution units

Withdrawable Module Operation

Withdrawable modules are designed for high availability and fast maintenance.

Functions include:

· Fast module exchange

· Isolation from the system

· Module replacement without full switchgear shutdown

· Reduced mean time to repair

· Safe operation during maintenance

Plug-in and Fixed Module Solutions

Plug-in and fixed modules provide alternative solutions based on application needs.

Plug-in modules offer:

· Withdrawable incoming power contacts

· Fixed outgoing connections

· High module density with MNS Compact

Fixed modules offer:

· Cost-effective installation

· Suitable for light processes

· Longer acceptable maintenance time

Motor Starting and Control

MNS supports various motor starter configurations.

Starter types include:

· DOL direct-on-line starters

· REV reversing starters

· HD heavy-duty starters

Control options include:

· EF electronic overload relays

· UMC100.3 Universal Motor Controller

· M10x integrated motor controller

Arc Fault Protection

MNS provides internal arc fault protection using passive, active, and preventive methods.

Protection functions include:

· Arc containment

· Arc gas redirection

· Light and current-based arc detection

· Fast breaker tripping

· Reduced incident energy

· Protection of personnel and equipment

Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance

Through MNS Digital and ABB Ability™ CMES, the switchgear transforms raw data into actionable maintenance insights.

Functions include:

· Substation health index

· Single-line monitoring views

· Thermal visualization

· Contact wear monitoring

· Module insertion cycle tracking

· Automated alarms by email or SMS

· Predictive maintenance recommendations

Wireless Temperature Monitoring

MNS supports wireless temperature monitoring at critical electrical joints.

Main components include:

· STX31x battery-less wireless temperature sensors

· MT567 receiver

· ZigBee Green Power communication

· Monitoring of busbar and cable connection points

· Abnormality detection regardless of load level

Digital Communication and Integration

MNS Digital supports integration into automation, power management, and monitoring systems.

Supported interfaces include:

· Modbus TCP

· OPC UA

· Profibus

· Profinet

· Ethernet/IP

· IEC 61850

It also supports Ethernet ring communication with Media Redundancy Protocol to keep communication active even if a module is withdrawn or a cable is damaged.

Specifications

Electrical Ratings

Item	Specification
Rated insulation voltage Ui	Up to 1000 V AC / 1500 V DC
Rated operating voltage Ue	Up to 690 V AC / 750 V DC
Rated impulse withstand voltage Uimp	6 / 8 / 12 kV
Rated frequency	Up to 60 Hz
Main busbar rated current Ie	Up to 7300 A
Main busbar peak withstand current Ipk	Up to 220 kA
Main busbar short-time withstand current Icw	Up to 100 kA for 1 s
Arc fault containment	Up to 690 V / 100 kA / 300 ms

Standards and Compliance

Category	Standard / Directive
Switchgear standard	IEC 61439-1/-2
Low Voltage Directive	2014/35/EU
EMC Directive	2014/30/EU
Internal arc fault testing	IEC TR 61641 Ed. 3
Environmental declaration	Type III EPD according to ISO 14025
Quality test certification	DEKRA / ASTA

Switchgear Dimensions

Feature	Front Access	Rear Access
Standard height	2200 mm	2300 mm
Cubicle width	400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 mm	400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 mm
Cubicle depth	400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200 mm	1000, 1200, 1400 mm

Busbar System

Item	Specification
Main busbar location	Rear for Front Access; top for Rear Access
Main busbar rated current	Up to 7300 A
Main busbar short-time withstand current	Up to 100 kA for 1 s
Distribution busbar type	L-shaped copper bars
Distribution busbar location	Embedded in Multifunction Separator
Distribution busbar surface	Silver-plated as standard
Distribution busbar rating	Up to 2000 A
Power contacts	Precision-engineered with turnable bearing
Power contact insertion endurance	Independently verified for 1000 insertions

Busbar Current Ratings, Front Access Copper

Dimension	IP30 / IP40 Current	IP54 Current	Icw
2 x 40 x 10 mm	1900 A	1600 A	80 kA
4 x 60 x 10 mm	3100 A	2200 A	100 kA
2 x 4 x 40 x 10 mm	6030 A	4550 A	100 kA
2 // 4 x 60 x 10 mm	6600 A	5300 A	120 kA

Mechanical Structure

Item	Specification
Frame material	C-shaped steel profiles
Hole pitch	25 mm, 1E, according to DIN 43660
Frame and busbar joints	Thread-locking ESLOK screws and conical spring washers
Maintenance requirement	Maintenance-free frame and busbar connections
Access configurations	Front Access and Rear Access
Environmental resistance	Earthquake, vibration and shock-proof design

Digital Communication

Item	Specification
Digital platform	MNS Digital
Monitoring platform	ABB Ability™ CMES
Supported intelligent devices	Emax 2, Emax 3, Tmax XT, UMC100.3
Communication interfaces	Modbus TCP, OPC UA, Profibus, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, IEC 61850
Network redundancy	Ethernet ring with Media Redundancy Protocol

Condition Monitoring

Function	Description
Substation health index	Overall switchgear and substation condition overview
Single-line view	Visualization of electrical system topology
Thermal visualization	Temperature-based condition display
Predictive maintenance	Maintenance recommendations based on real condition
Contact wear monitoring	Tracks wear condition of electrical contacts
Module insertion cycle tracking	Monitors withdrawable module operation cycles
Alarm notification	Email or SMS alerts for condition changes

Wireless Temperature Monitoring

Component	Specification
Sensor type	STX31x battery-less wireless temperature sensors
Installation point	Critical joints such as busbar and cable connections
Receiver	MT567
Sensor capacity	Up to 60 sensors per receiver
Communication	ZigBee Green Power
Purpose	Detect thermal abnormalities independently of load levels

Incoming Solutions

Incoming Device	Description
Emax 2	Air circuit breaker for main incoming applications
Emax 3	Air circuit breaker for advanced incoming applications
Tmax XT	Molded case circuit breaker
OT series	Switch-disconnector
Stationary earthing switch	Maintenance safety solution

Outgoing Module Types

Module Type	Description
Withdrawable	High availability; exchangeable in less than 1 minute without de-energizing switchgear
Plug-in	Withdrawable incoming power contacts with fixed outgoing connections
Fixed	Cost-effective solution for light processes
MNS Compact	High-density plug-in solution with up to 36 modules per section
Slimline XRG	Fused energy distribution up to 630 A

Specialized Outgoing Solutions

Solution	Specification
Slimline XRG	Fused energy distribution up to 630 A
Softstarters	PSTX series, up to 1100 kW
Variable Speed Drives	ACS880 series, up to 250 kW
Reactive Power Compensation	600 mm wide modules with MKPgG or CLMD capacitors
Remote Power Panel	For data centers, monitors up to 168 branch circuits
Hot-swap socket system	SMISSLINE TP

Module Weights

Module / Device	Approximate Weight
8E/4 withdrawable module	4 kg
8E withdrawable module	18 kg
24E withdrawable module	65 kg
E2.2 ACB, 3-pole	53 kg
E6.2 ACB, 3-pole	129 kg

Motor Starter Solutions

Starter Type	Description
DOL	Direct-on-line motor starting
REV	Reversing motor control
HD	Heavy-duty starter for high-inertia loads

Motor Control Options

Control Option	Description
EOL	EF series electronic overload relays
UMC	UMC100.3 Universal Motor Controller
M10x	Integrated motor controller with protection and fieldbus communication

Short-Circuit Breaking Capacity for Starters

Item	Specification
Typical Icu range	50 kA to 100 kA
Applicable breakers	Tmax XT2, XT4, XT5
Voltage levels	400 V, 500 V, 690 V