01
Motor list
kW, FLC, duty and start count
Motor Control & Automation
Product detail
Product snapshot
Motor Control & Automation
Choose the correct motor-control path fast: MCC, starter, VFD, soft-starter or PLC/SCADA interface.
02
Starter path
MCC, DOL, soft starter or VFD
03
Protection
MPCB, overload, fault and phase checks
04
Control
Local/remote signals and SCADA readiness
Motor list first
FLC, duty, start count and control philosophy
Starter paths
MCC, DOL, star-delta, soft starter, VFD
Controls
Local/remote, interlocks, PLC, SCADA and BMS signals
Build kit
Enclosures, fans, filters, trunking and labelled terminals
Read more
Custom motor-control centres, pump starter panels and drive systems for Kenya - DOL, star-delta, soft starters, VFD panels and PLC interfaces for industrial, agricultural and commercial plant.
Nairobi Power Engineers designs and manufactures the assembly around site duty, prospective fault level, installation access, service continuity, cable entry and maintainability. The supply can be configured with ABB, Schneider Electric or CHINT equipment according to duty, lead time and lifecycle support.
Motor-control work starts with the motor list, FLC schedule, starting method, duty cycle, site environment and control philosophy so each MCC, starter, drive and automation panel is correctly placed.
- MCC lineups with Form 2/Form 4 segregation and fixed, plug-in or withdrawable starters
- Direct-on-line, reversing and star-delta starter panels for pumps, fans, conveyors and compressors
- Soft-starter and VFD panels with bypass, filtering, ventilation and harmonic review options
- Metal enclosures, DIN rails, mounting plates, trunking, panel fans, filters and thermostats for serviceable control builds
- PLC, SCADA, BMS and remote telemetry interfaces for local facilities teams
- Motor kW, FLC, starting method and duty-cycle validation
- Starting current, voltage dip, bypass, selectivity and protection coordination
- Cable length, enclosure IP rating, heat load, ventilation and harmonic review
- Controls, interlocks, emergency stops, telemetry and maintenance access planning
OEM selection basis
ABB, Schneider Electric and CHINT fit where they genuinely belong.
- ABB MNS-MCC, AF contactors, PSTX soft starters and ACS drives for high-reliability process lines.
- Schneider Model 6 MCCs, TeSys contactors, Altivar VFDs and ATS soft starters for integrated automation.
- CHINT contactors, overloads, VFDs, relays and pilot devices for value-engineered pump and process panels.
- NPE-built MCC, borehole, booster-pump, HVAC, compressor and conveyor panels assembled for local maintenance access.
Anatomy of an NPE panel
Inside a motor control centre
Every NPE motor control centre is built to IEC 61439-1 & 2 and laid out for safe operation, fault segregation and easy maintenance. The numbered call-outs map the components we assemble into each lineup.
- 1Signal towers & beacons
- 2Thermo-magnetic circuit breakers (MPCBs)
- 3Protection & time relays
- 4AC motor drive (VFD)
- 5Contactors & overload relays
- 6Soft starter
- 7Fuse holders
- 8Switch disconnectors
- 9Door: push buttons, selectors & measuring instruments
Build standard
Standard
IEC 61439-1 & 2
Rated current
Up to 2500 A
Voltage
400 V, 50 Hz
Protection
Up to IP 54
Forms
Form 2 / 3 / 4
Enclosure steel
1.5–2 mm
Starter types: DOL, star-delta, soft starter and VFD — custom-built at NPE’s Nairobi manufacturing centre.
Technical detail library
Product Range & Target Markets, Switchboard Features and Options:
Choose the motor-control path before sizing: MCC lineup, DOL/star-delta starter, VFD panel, soft starter or PLC/SCADA interface. Open the cards for ratings, source basis, build options and direct contact links.
Engineering Calculator
Instant Technical Sizing
Enter parameters for real-time IEC/KPLC-standard sizing. Results update dynamically.
Sizing results
Estimated FLA
-
Main Contactor
-
Overload Range
-
Suggested Frame
-
* For reference only. NPE engineering verifies configurations prior to build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in Motor Control & Automation?
Our Motor Control & Automation solutions are custom-engineered and assembled locally at our Baricho Road workshop in Nairobi. A standard build includes high-quality modular enclosures, premium copper busbars (rated for local environmental conditions), type-tested circuit breakers or control elements from trusted global partners (ABB, Schneider Electric and CHINT), and comprehensive routine test certifications before delivery.
Which standards and ratings should be confirmed?
All assemblies comply with KEBS and EPRA regulations. You should confirm the required operational voltage (typically 415V three-phase or 240V single-phase in Kenya), rated current, prospective fault levels (e.g., 35kA or 50kA as per KPLC system requirements), form of separation (up to Form 4b), IP rating (IP31 indoor / IP54 for dust-heavy sites), and cable entry orientation (top or bottom entry).
How does NPE choose the product architecture?
NPE starts with the single-line diagram, load schedule and operating sequence, then selects the motor control path, device families, enclosure format, controls and testing requirements.
What information does NPE need to quote Motor Control & Automation?
Send the single-line diagram, load schedule, incoming supply details, fault level if known, preferred OEM brand, cable entry direction, installation environment and delivery location.
Can NPE supply ABB, Schneider Electric and CHINT options?
Yes. NPE can quote ABB, Schneider Electric, CHINT or a mixed-OEM architecture according to rating, availability, monitoring requirement, lifecycle support and budget.
Can the system include monitoring and remote signals?
Yes. Metering, alarms, Modbus, Ethernet, BMS contacts, SCADA points and commissioning checks can be included where the selected product family supports them.
Product enquiry
Do you have a Motor Control & Automation enquiry? Get in touch...
Use the calculators for a first-pass engineering check, then send us the SLD and load schedule for a project-ready selection.
Built and supported in Nairobi
Every motor-control panel NPE supplies is specified against the motor schedule, assembled and inspected at our Baricho Road workshop, and handed over with the drawings and test records your consultant expects. Use the enquiry routes above for a sized quotation, or the form alongside to schedule an engineer.
24/7 Emergency Support
Electrical service you can count on
When motor control and plant automation equipment fails, you need fast, reliable help from experienced engineers. We offer around-the-clock emergency support across Nairobi and East Africa — keeping your plant safe and powered, day or night. Whether it is an urgent breakdown or a scheduled repair, our team is ready to respond whenever you need us.
Cost and Estimates
Motor control costs vary significantly depending on several key factors. Here is what you need to know to make informed decisions and avoid unexpected expenses.
What Affects the Cost?
The price of a motor control package depends on the load schedule, fault level, enclosure form and IP rating, plus the OEM equipment you specify. Site conditions and delivery timelines also move the number.
Get a Detailed Estimate
Our engineers issue itemised quotations covering equipment, assembly, factory testing and delivery — no hidden fees. You know exactly what to expect before any work begins.
Smart Maintenance
Scheduled inspection, thermographic surveys and torque checks catch small issues early, helping you avoid major repairs. Planned maintenance extends system life and protects uptime.
Fast, Reliable Response
Whether it is a scheduled upgrade or an urgent call, our Nairobi workshop at Baricho Road responds quickly and gets the job done right — minimising downtime and keeping you safe.
When in doubt, put safety first
If you are ever unsure or feel unsafe around an energised assembly, do not take chances — call a licensed engineer. Safety always comes first. Feel free to contact us or give us a call.
+254 0737-944-014How to stay safe during an electrical emergency
Overheating or Burning Smell
Isolate the supply if it is safe to do so, keep people clear of the panel and call us immediately. A burning smell around an enclosure usually indicates a loose termination or an overloaded circuit and must never be left running.
Nuisance Tripping
Repeated tripping is a symptom, not the fault. It usually points to overload, an earth leakage path or a device sized incorrectly for the duty. We test the circuit, verify discrimination and correct the root cause rather than resetting the device.
Safe Isolation and Access
Only competent, authorised personnel should open a live assembly. Follow lock-off and permit-to-work procedures, and use the correct PPE and rated test equipment for the fault level of the installation.
Routine Inspection Intervals
We recommend periodic inspection and testing in line with the KS/IEC regime for your installation category, with thermographic scanning on critical boards. We can hold the schedule for you and report against it.