About Us | Mechanical Products

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.

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!

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.

View Certification PDF

Canadian Standards Association

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.