A control unit that includes a means of disconnecting an externally operable circuit, motor branch-circuit overcurrent protection, and a magnetic motor controller with associated auxiliary devices (when used). The disconnecting means and motor branch-circuit overcurrent protection consist of a fusible disconnecting device or circuit breaker. If the latter is used, it is either an inverse-time (thermal-magnetic or dual magnetic) or an instantaneous magnetic type circuit breaker. The motor controller includes motor overload protection unless equivalent protection is otherwise provided. Two sets of externally operable circuit disconnection means, each with branch-circuit overcurrent protection and a magnetic motor controller, can be mounted in a single compartment to form a dual unit (as defined in NEMA Standard Pub. No. ICS 2, 1988).