ABB to showcase new switchgear range at CIRED 2017

Switzerland-based power and automation company ABB will be showcasing its new medium-voltage switchgear range at CIRED 2017.

As part of the unveiling, it will showcase its climate-friendly ZX2 AirPlus, along with UniGear Digital, its digital switchgear solution.

Digital switchgear is part of its Ability portfolio of connected solutions that integrates protection, control, measurement and digital communication to enable a safe, flexible and smart electrical network that can offer power reliably and efficiently.

It is claimed to be based on optimised integration of current and voltage sensors into medium-voltage switchgear that, combined with the latest Relion protection and control relays, while leveraging the capability of the IEC 61850 standard for communication.

The first switchgear was launched by ABB back in 2014 and it has been building on its range with a new generation of digital switchgear technology. The delivery time is claimed to be 30% shorter, while engineering, installation and commissioning is claimed to be easier.

The UniGear product family and the ZX2 series are now established switchgear platforms. Presently, more than 50% of the primary switchgear ABB supplies are also available in digital format.

As per ABB, there is an increasing demand in the market for this technology which provides improved suitability for shorter project cycles, frequent changes and meeting stringent cost-efficiency requirements.

According to the company, AirPlus offers a green alternative to SF₆ as the insulation medium in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). SF₆ is a potent greenhouse gas, while AirPlus is a fluoroketone-based gas mixture, which is claimed to be 100% lower in terms of global warming potential (GWP).

Image: ABB to unveil new medium-voltage switchgear technology at CIRED 2017. Photo: Courtesy of ABB.