Electrical Power & Protection


New power distribution switchboard range

October 2024 Electrical Power & Protection

Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its latest PrismaSeT range of new-generation power distribution switchboards, which offers unrivalled modularity and minimum assembly time, even for the most demanding configurations. Kovilan Chinnathambi, power products offer manager Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric, says the PrismaSet range includes the PrismaSet G and PrismaSet P models. The PrismaSet G model is designed as a wall-mounted or floor-standing unit, rated up to 630 amps and 25 kA, while the PrismaSet P model is the bigger floor-standing unit, rated up to 4000 amps and 100 kA.


Kovilan Chinnathambi, power products offer manager Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric.

“PrismaSeT is a fully type-tested switchboard system which guarantees safety and reliability. It replaces the older range of Prisma boards, featuring a new design that boasts the new Schneider Electric panel look,” says Chinnathambi. “In the past, our different switch gear ranges – from medium voltage to low voltage – all looked very different. Now there is a common colour and a common label strip to identify it easily as a Schneider Electric switchboard.” Chinnathambi notes that the new range also features more robust frames that increase the mechanical strength of the board itself, and the doors have been reinforced to make the sheet metal more rigid.

Built-in cloud connectivity

“The new PrismaSet range switchboard is the market forerunner, with built-in cloud connectivity allowing instant access to the smart alarm system, energy usage analysis, trends and preventive maintenance plans. Built-in cloud connectivity allows users to be notified of around the clock electrical distribution, and also voltage loss if any occurs,” he says. “This maximises efficiency and power availability, while creating the basis for future innovations. The PrismaSeT P switchboard also allows for easy wireless integration of sensors.”

PrismaSeT panels can be fitted with Schneider Electric’s HeatTag fire prevention solution, which uses AI algorithms to analyse the gases within the switchboard. “When cables overheat, the insulation changes the chemical properties within the panel. While traditional fire prevention methods use temperature measurements, the HeatTag analyses the air and monitors the temperature. Before the cables get to a point where they are going to fail, HeatTag can detect a change in the gases, and alert facility operators to a potential problem,” says Chinnathambi.

While it is suited to both residential and commercial applications, the PrismaSet switchboard range is particularly popular in the data centre space, which requires high levels of power availability and reliability, and strict safety standards.

Efficient assembly

The PrismaSet switchboards are designed around Schneider Electric’s switchgear range, and have predefined mounting plates and front plates for each type of circuit breaker, meaning there is no need to drill, punch or cut. This makes the assembly of the board more efficient and on average 20% quicker compared to the market average.

“Being a modular board brings several benefits to the end user, as it allows them to build a panel that is fully customised for the requirements of any particular project. However, during the lifespan of the board, the end user’s requirements might change, and these changes can be easily incorporated into the design as needed,” says Chinnathambi.

“This means that end users are not tied to something that has been bought but cannot be used going forward. They can modify the board as their requirements on site change.”


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Power supply with scalability optimised
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Schneider Electric has introduced the Easy UPS 3-Phase Modular to the South African marketplace. This robust uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is designed to protect critical loads while offering third-party verified Live Swap functionality.

Read more...
Prioritising arc flash safety
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
Comtest has developed a range of thermal imaging and wireless testing tools from Fluke, designed to ensure safety is the top priority for engineers working in potentially dangerous arc flash zones.

Read more...
Solar-powered drive solution for water pumps
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched its Altivar Solar ATV320 variable speed drive (VSD), a solar-powered drive solution that is compatible with a wide range of water pumps, catering for water challenges and decarbonisation of irrigation pumping and agriprocessing machinery.

Read more...
The industrial era of wireless telemetry and radio communication
Schneider Electric South Africa Data Acquisition & Telemetry
Today’s advanced wireless telemetry offers a range of benefits that go beyond cost savings, including greater flexibility and mobility, remote monitoring capabilities, and enhanced safety.

Read more...
Hot Dip Galvanizers Association shines new light on renewable energy
Electrical Power & Protection
The Hot Dip Galvanizers Association of Southern Africa plays an important role in supporting the energy value chain – which spans clean, renewable and green energy – as it powers towards key sustainability targets.

Read more...
ACTOM supplies high-voltage equipment to wind farm project
ACTOM Electrical Machines Electrical Power & Protection
ACTOM High Voltage Equipment is currently in the process of manufacturing 400 kV and 132 kV high-voltage primary equipment for the Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm project in Mpumalanga.

Read more...
Energy measurement module for BL20 I/O System
Turck Banner Southern Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Turck’s BL20 energy measurement module enables precise monitoring of the energy consumption of single- or three-phase systems.

Read more...
Distributed energy resource management systems: a grid symphony
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
To listen to a symphony is one of the world’s great gifts. A conductor must ensure that instruments play beautifully as a whole and are kind to the ear and uplifting to the spirit yet shine in their individuality. The same can be said of a DERMS, which must effectively manage diverse energy sources to avoid compromising the grid’s integrity.

Read more...
Focus on energy sector infrastructure development can drive economic growth
Electrical Power & Protection
Post-election periods in South Africa often see a renewed focus on infrastructure development, with a specific emphasis on directing investments towards the energy sector. This strategic approach aims to accelerate economic growth, address energy challenges, and ultimately uplift the overall standard of living for the populace.

Read more...
Variable speed drive for water challenges and green agriculture
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has launched its Altivar Solar ATV320 variable speed drive, a solar-powered drive solution that is compatible with a wide range of water pumps, catering for water challenges and decarbonisation of irrigation pumping and agriprocessing machinery.

Read more...