Schneider Electric Embarks on a ‘Connected by Default’ Future for Active Primary Switchgear

Schneider Electric, the World’s Most Sustainable Corporation in 2021 as ranked by Corporate Knights and the leader in the digital transformation of energy management, is heralding the next phase in its plans to improve the performance, reliability, and safety of energy infrastructure by unveiling its first 'connected by default' primary switchgear.

Designed for use in critical installations such as Mining, Metals, Oil and Gas production, Automotive manufacturing and other Large and Critical Installations, MCSeT Active represents a sea change in how applications are managed. By adding digital capabilities, it's possible to monitor assets to ensure everything is performing well, alert the customer if something needs maintenance or attention, or gather data insights to improve use efficiency.

Equipment performance data and a proprietary Digital Logbook containing all pieces of equipment's manual, specifications and unique service history can be accessed remotely or locally using a secure app-based facility management tool and QR code system 

While in the past, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and solutions have typically been added to existing equipment through complex engineering, Schneider is taking things a step further by bringing a digitally native approach to its latest MV and LV switchgear range as standard, straight from the factory. Customers will benefit from foundational services such as 24/7 condition-based monitoring of their assets, or select additional services such as automated responses to switch to back-up power supply without the need for human intervention, for example.

No surprises: stopping problems in their tracks

MCSeT Active works in tandem with Schneider's latest digital services to bring a predictive and preventive maintenance approach to electrical distribution. Through EcoStruxure Service Plan, data from IoT sensors can be combined with cloud-based technologies for analysis to identify potential issues in critical connected assets. With maintenance alerts from EcoStruxure Asset Advisor, these powerful digital insights offer the ability to anticipate and address issues before they become critical incidents, mitigating safety risks, avoiding unplanned downtime, operational losses, and expensive maintenance interventions.  All Schneider Electric’s solutions involving data collection and usage are developed in accordance with Cyber Security IEC 62443-4-1 standard and compliant with GDPR data privacy.

More than twenty MCSeT Active pilot projects are already ongoing worldwide, using 24/7 monitoring of connected equipment, including Arcelor Mittal, and Lafarge Holcim.

Frederic Godemel, Executive Vice President of Power Systems at Schneider Electric, said: "We've seen increasing demand from customers wanting better access to data on the performance of their power equipment, whether on-premises or remotely.  As the Internet of Things comes of age, it makes sense to standardize.  Connected products with built-in sensors and connectivity as standard enable our customers to build a strong foundation for digital transformation, with the opportunity to expand into whatever value-added services best suit their needs.

"The power of this approach is evident and it's entirely feasible that predictive maintenance will help significantly reduce unplanned downtime as the ability to access and utilize performance data becomes more sophisticated."

Digital and green

In addition to its digital transformation benefits, MCSeT Active offers sustainable air and vacuum interruption techniques meaning that Schneider Electric, the world's most sustainable corporation ranked by Corporate Knights, continues to offer solutions to remove harmful greenhouse gases from its entire range of products available by 2025.

For further information about MCSeT Active, click here.