We Build Motor Control Center Buckets for VFDs and Feeder Buckets for Remote VFD Operation
Two Practical Ways to Add a VFD to an Existing MCC
VFD Installed in the Bucket
1 - 300 HP
For smaller applications, we install the VFD directly inside the MCC bucket. Proper cooling, wiring, all done in-house. Drops right into your existing lineup.
- →All-in-one, no external mounting
- →Built and wired in our shop
- →Fits your existing MCC
Feeder Bucket for a Remote VFD
Any size motor
Sometimes the best VFD solution is not putting the drive in the MCC at all. If the drive is too large for the space you have, or it just doesn't make sense to give up valuable bucket space, we can build a feeder bucket and have the VFD mounted remotely instead. Same job gets done, just in a way that fits the real-world layout better.
- →Keeps you from giving up extra MCC space
- →Makes tight retrofits a lot easier
- →Can be easier to service later
- →More flexibility on where the drive actually goes
Brands We Build For
A Lot of VFD Retrofits Don't Need a VFD Bucket
This is where people get boxed in.
They get told they need a VFD, then the next thing they hear is the drive has to go inside the MCC. Now all of a sudden the bucket is too wide, or the section is full, or the whole thing turns into a much bigger project than it needed to be.
A lot of times, the better answer is simpler. Put the protection in the MCC, use a feeder bucket, and mount the VFD remotely where you actually have room for it.
That keeps the MCC doing what it needs to do without forcing the drive into the lineup just because that's how someone first pictured it.
It also usually makes the retrofit easier to work with from an install and service standpoint.
When we look at a job, we usually start with a few basic things:
- Motor size
- How much MCC space is actually available
- What kind of protection or disconnect is needed
- Where the drive can go so the install still makes sense
Then we quote the setup that actually fits the job, not just the one that sounds standard on paper.
About Code Requirements
Some projects need a VFD because of energy code, project specs, or the way the equipment is being used. Some don't.
It really depends on the job, the jurisdiction, and what is actually being replaced or modified. So we don't like making blanket statements there. What we can say is this: when a VFD is required, it does not automatically mean the drive has to be mounted inside the MCC.
A feeder bucket with a remote-mounted VFD is a common way to handle that kind of retrofit.
Common Questions
Can the VFD be mounted outside the MCC?
Yes. That is a normal way to do it when the application is reviewed properly. In a lot of retrofit situations, remote mounting just makes more sense. You may not have the width for a VFD bucket, or you may want the drive somewhere that's easier to access, cool, or service. The final setup still depends on the environment, enclosure requirements, cable distance, and the rest of the application. But yes, remote mounting is absolutely a real option.
What HP range do you build VFD buckets for?
We build VFD-in-bucket configurations from 1 HP to 300 HP. For larger applications or tight spaces, we recommend a feeder bucket with a remote-mounted VFD.
How fast can you build it?
Standard builds ship in 3-5 business days. Rush builds available in 1-2 days.
Do I need a VFD for my retrofit?
It depends on the job, the jurisdiction, and what is actually being replaced or modified. Some projects need a VFD because of energy code, project specs, or equipment use. When a VFD is required, it does not automatically mean the drive has to be mounted inside the MCC.
MCC Depot
The Feeder Bucket King