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About Mechanical Products

Advanced Design • Legendary Performance • Superior Circuit ProtectionTM
Worldwide • Count On It

Advancing Circuit Protection
Since 1943

As a leading manufacturer of thermal circuit protection devices, MP develops high-quality circuit breakers for a wide variety of products and equipment. Our thermal circuit breakers protect people and equipment by sensing and preventing dangers associated with electrical overloads and overcurrents. MP has distinguished itself through unmatched quality and unparalleled service for over 80 years.

Visit our sister company iConn Systems, LLC a custom engineered interconnect solutions design company that focuses on the manufacturing of electrical and electronic connectors, overmolded and discrete cable assemblies and value added turnkey products.

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History-BG

Mechanical Products History

MP was founded in 1940. In its early years, MP focused on developing innovative circuit breaker designs for the aerospace industry, which helped MP become the exclusive supplier of all flight-critical circuit breakers for the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs. In the mid-1950s, MP began developing circuit breakers for commercial applications. MP's management team purchased the company in 1998. Today, MP remains a privately held company that continues to strengthen its product portfolio of thermal circuit protection devices by offering innovative solutions for the most demanding applications.

1940
MP founded
Mechanical Products (MP) was founded in Jackson Michigan by B.D. Maule and Art Knapp to produce aircraft starters.
1943
1st Circuit Breaker
Produced
MP introduced its first aerospace circuit breaker.
1952
Mini Breaker
Introduced
The Mini breaker was introduced as an alternative to Edison Base residential fuses and remains in production to this day.
1959
Series 16
Introduced
The ever-popular and robust Series 16 push-to-reset circuit breaker was introduced, available today in a variety of options from 0.5 – 70 amperes.
1964
Apollo Space
Program
MP is selected as the sole-source supplier of all flight critical circuit breakers for the Apollo Space Program.
1974
NASA Sole Source Supplier
MP is named the sole source supplier for all mission-critical circuit breakers for the Space Shuttle, Lunar Excursion Module, and Lunar Rover Vehicles.
1998
Purchased
by Management
MP is purchased by Management and remains so to this day.
2000
Manufacturing
Relocated to China
Manufacturing of the Commercial / Industrial circuit breakers are relocated to China.
2002
Aerospace
Division Sold
MP’s Aerospace circuit breaker division is sold to Eaton.
2004
Series 14
Introduced
The compact Series 14 push-to-reset circuit breaker is introduced in a rating of 3 to 20 amperes.
2005
Series 18
Introduced
The Series 18 high interrupt capacity circuit breaker for harsh environments is introduced in rating through 60 amps.
2009
Series 24
Introduced
The Series 24 switchable one and two circuit breakers are introduced in a rating of 0.1 to 30 amps, expanding the amperage range theretofore available.
2010
Headquarters
Relocation
MP relocates its world headquarters from Jackson Michigan to Lombard, Illinois.
2012
New Product
VOC
MP does Voice of the Customer (VOC) survey to assist in new product development.
2014
Series 15
Introduced
MP introduces the Series 15 push-to-reset compact design circuit breaker through 40 amperes, far exceeding the maximum 20 amp rating of its competition.
2014
Series 17
Innovative Features
The US made Series 17 Hi-Amp circuit breaker is released with innovative features in ratings through 300 amps.
2015
Series 19
Introduced
The US made Series 19 is introduced for harsh environments in ratings through 200 amps Its IP67 & IP69K waterproof ratings offer superior ingress protection.
2015
tripID™
Introduced
The easy snap-on accessory tripID™ is introduced for the Series 17 illuminating the circuit breaker during a trip.
2016
Series 32
Introduced
Series 32 Short Stop Circuit Breaker is introduced with an amperage color coding option to help ensure the correct protector rating is installed.
2017
Series 18
Relocation
Series 18 production is relocated from China to MP’s production facility in Lombard, Illinois USA.
2018
New Website
Launched
The newly designed Mechanical Products site was launched!

MP Product Certifications
& Environmental Policies

  • Underwriters Laboratory

    MP strives to provide the most robust, reliable products for your circuit protection needs. All certifications are NOT available on each part number. To view the certification of a specific MP part number, please return to the Series of interest for your application.
  • Canadian Standards Association

    MP strives to provide the most robust, reliable products for your circuit protection needs. All certifications are NOT available on each part number. To view the certification of a specific MP part number, please return to the Series of interest for your application.
  • China Compulsory Certificate

    MP strives to provide the most robust, reliable products for your circuit protection needs. All certifications are NOT available for each part number. To view the certification of a specific MP part number, please return to the Series of interest for your application.
  • Conflict Minerals

    Mechanical Products statement regarding US Pub. L. 111-203 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of July 2010.

  • Verband der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik und Informationstechnik

    MP strives to provide the most robust, reliable products for your circuit protection needs. All certifications are NOT available on each part number. To view the certification of a specific MP part number, please return to the Series of interest for your application.
  • Reach

    Mechanical Products compliance with European Directive 1907/2006 on the Registration Evaluation Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals.

  • Society of Automotive Engineers

    MP strives to provide the most robust, reliable products for your circuit protection needs. All certifications are NOT available on each part number. To view the certification of a specific MP part number, please return to the Series of interest for your application.
  • American Boat and Yacht Council

    MP strives to provide the most robust, reliable products for your circuit protection needs. All certifications are NOT available on each part number. To view the certification of a specific MP part number, please return to the Series of interest for your application.
  • RoHS

    Mechanical Products compliance with European Directive 2011/65/EU (ROHS 2).