This free interactive 3D viewer walks you through the power distribution system of an industrial facility — from the utility medium-voltage service and MV switchgear down through transformers, the main distribution panel, motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), and the emergency generator and ATS. Click any piece of equipment to see how it works and the NEC, IEEE, or NEMA standard that governs it. Built for electrical engineers, electricians, plant maintenance teams, and engineering students who want to understand industrial power systems visually.
The viewer covers the full industrial distribution path from the utility to the load:
• MV service — medium-voltage transformer (13.8 kV or 4.16 kV → 480V), CT/PT revenue metering, and metal-clad switchgear per IEEE C37.20.2. • Main distribution panel — the 480V main switchboard distributing power to feeders per NEC Article 408. • Step-down transformers — dry-type 480V → 208Y/120V for lighting, receptacles, and controls per NEC Article 450. • Distribution panelboards — 480V and 120/208V branch-circuit panels. • Motor control centers (MCCs) — NEMA ICS 18 draw-out starters, VFDs, and branch-circuit protection per NEC Article 430. • Variable frequency drives (VFDs) and three-phase motors — speed control, harmonic mitigation (IEEE 519), and motor protection per NEMA MG 1. • Emergency power — standby diesel generator, automatic transfer switch (UL 1008), and emergency panel per NEC Articles 700, 701, and NFPA 110. • Grounding and bonding — ground grid, equipment grounding conductors, and bonding per NEC Article 250 and IEEE 80.
Utility power enters at medium voltage (4.16 kV or 13.8 kV) through the service transformer and MV switchgear, then steps down to 480V at the main distribution panel. The 480V bus feeds motor control centers for large process motors, and a 480→208Y/120V dry-type transformer supplies lighting and receptacle branch circuits. Variable frequency drives connected to the MCC control motor speed for energy savings on pumps, fans, and compressors. An emergency diesel generator, automatically started by the ATS on utility loss, supplies the emergency distribution panel — feeding egress lighting, fire alarm, and process-critical loads — within the 10-second window required by NEC Article 700 and NFPA 110.
1. Drag to orbit the facility, scroll to zoom, and pan to move around the 3D model. 2. Click any piece of equipment to highlight it and read what it does, its code reference, and sizing rules. 3. Use the system filter buttons in the toolbar to show or hide the HV/MV service, distribution, motor/MCC, emergency, or LV branch circuit layers. 4. Follow power from the outdoor yard (transformer, switchgear) → electrical room (MDP, panels) → facility floor (MCCs, VFDs, motors) and the parallel emergency path (generator → ATS → emergency panel).
A motor control center (MCC) per NEMA ICS 18 is a modular enclosure that houses individual motor starter "buckets" on a common bus. Each bucket contains a disconnect (fusible switch or breaker), a motor starter or contactor, and an overload relay. Modern MCCs include VFD buckets and smart motor management relays that communicate over Modbus or DeviceNet. NEC Article 430 governs motor branch circuits and feeders.
A variable frequency drive (VFD) controls motor speed by varying both voltage and frequency, providing full-range speed control and large energy savings on variable-torque loads (pumps, fans, compressors). A soft starter only reduces starting current (by ramping up voltage) — once the motor reaches full speed, it bypasses and the motor runs at line frequency. VFDs are more expensive but offer continuous speed control and energy efficiency. Both are governed by NEC Article 430.
Large industrial facilities with service demands above roughly 2–5 MVA typically receive utility power at medium voltage (4.16 kV, 13.2 kV, or 13.8 kV) to reduce conductor sizes and transmission losses. The customer installs their own MV switchgear and step-down transformers. NEC Articles 230 (services) and 450 (transformers) apply, along with utility interconnection requirements and IEEE C37 standards for the switchgear.
An arc flash study per IEEE 1584-2018 calculates the incident energy (in cal/cm²) released at each bus during a bolted arcing fault, at the equipment working distance. The result determines the arc flash boundary and the PPE (personal protective equipment) category required for energized work. NFPA 70E requires arc flash labels on all equipment where energized work may occur. Mitigation strategies include bus differential protection, zone-selective interlocking (ZSI), and maintenance mode settings that reduce clearing time below 50 ms.
Generator kW sizing = sum of all transferred loads (lighting, motors, UPS) + 125% continuous load factor + starting inrush of the largest motor (kVA × LRA/FLA ratio, typically 6–7×). The generator must reach rated voltage and frequency and the ATS must transfer within 10 seconds per NEC 700.12(B)(1) for legally required emergency systems. NFPA 110 Level 1 requires a 96-hour fuel supply and mandatory monthly 30-minute load tests at ≥30% rated load.