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:

South African businesses can alleviate energy price crisis
Electrical Power & Protection
While grid instability remains a concern, the immediate and most critical driver of South African commercial and industrial investment in renewable energy is the escalating cost of electricity.

Read more...
All eyes on the modern DCS platform
Schneider Electric South Africa PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Modernised DCS platforms are no longer confined to hardware-dependent architectures. These systems have evolved to combine the strengths of both PLCs and DCS while adding capabilities that make them more open, resilient and collaborative.

Read more...
Why choose between Capex and Opex if you can Totex?
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
In a sector marked by cyclical demand, high capital intensity, and increasing regulatory and sustainability pressures, mining, minerals and metals (MMM) companies are re-evaluating how they approach procurement and investment.

Read more...
AI and the smart factory
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Imagine walking into a factory where machines can think ahead, predict problems before they happen and automatically make adjustments to realise peak performance. This isn’t science fiction, it’s happening right now as AI continues to transform how we run industrial operations.

Read more...
Why your supply chain should be a competitive advantage
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
The last five years have placed unprecedented strain on global supply chains. Leading companies are turning the challenge into an opportunity to transform their supply chains into a competitive advantage.

Read more...
Real-time modelling is the key to a resilient, bi-directional energy grid
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Utilities and municipalities are facing a challenge as the country’s legacy power grid, engineered for one-way energy delivery from centralised suppliers to end-users, must rapidly evolve to meet a new paradigm.

Read more...
Shielding data centre growth from the looming power crunch
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Today’s digital economy is placing unprecedented strain on the power grid. The good news is that these challenges are not insurmountable. By adopting proactive strategies such as alternative power sources, infrastructure planning and software, operators can secure capacity, build resilient facilities and scale sustainably.

Read more...
Circuit breaker innovations
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical Power & Protection
Recent advancements in circuit breaker technology have seen a major step forward in setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability in data centres, industrial and commercial infrastructure.

Read more...
Common battery tester errors and what they mean
Comtest Electrical Power & Protection
Battery testers help quickly assess battery health, diagnose issues, and determine whether a battery needs a charge or replacement. This guide covers some of the most common battery tester errors, what they mean, and what can cause them.

Read more...
Buildings and microgrids for a greener future
Schneider Electric South Africa IT in Manufacturing
Buildings are no longer passive consumers of power. Structures of almost every size are evolving into dynamic energy ecosystems capable of generating, storing and distributing their own electricity. Forming part of this exciting transformation are microgrids.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved