A Brief History of EC&M®

 

 

 

For over a century, the EC&M crane control brand has been synonymous with a determined commitment to creating the best possible crane and mill equipment solutions. The engineering innovations, groundbreaking product designs, patents, and significant influence on industry standards have resulted in crane control equipment built for the toughest crane applications.

 

In 1897, The Electric Controller and Manufacturing Company (EC&M) shipped its first crane controller from its facility in Cleveland, Ohio. The controller was the first electric crane control that both reversed and changed speed using a single operator handle. It marked the first of many crane control advancements pioneered by EC&M.

 

n        1897-1954:

n         In 1909, EC&M created the first dynamic lowering hoist controller. For the first time, crane motors could both hoist and lower without a mechanical load brake.

n         DC starters and magnet control

n         DC LineArc® mill duty contactors

n         Plate disc brakes

n         Youngstown® power limit switches

n         Cast grid, then stainless steel TABWeld® mill duty resistors

n         AC adjustable speed hoist controllers

n         Drum brakes (pre-AISE standard), then AISE rated drum brakes

 

In 1954, Square D Company purchased EC&M. Product refinements and innovations continued:

 

n        1954-2003

n         Solid-state AC adjustable speed control

n         FrontLine® front connected DC and AC control panels

n         AISE rated Type F drum brakes,

n         LineArc® mill duty Type M contactors,

n         Type M magnet control

n         Caliper disc brakes 

n         Adjustable frequency crane control

 

Recently, Square D introduced Class 6125 Digital DC Dynamic Lowering Crane Control. This control blends the strength and proven performance of the 1909 DC dynamic lowering circuit, with enhancements made possible by digital technology. In 2004, EC&M will take a century of experience further, and introduce another innovation, the Class 5015 LinearDISC© caliper disc brake.

 

Today, EC&M Company is again an independent company. Dedicated to the most complete line of mill duty crane control products, EC&M Company remains driven to producing innovative products. Excellence is our objective and customer service is our commitment. Contact us at 1-800-240-1230.