GE to Launch ANSI/IEEE SecoGear Air-Insulated, Medium-Voltage Switchgear

After a year of heavy investment in its medium-voltage (MV) offerings, GE’s Industrial Solutions business is poised to launch the ANSI/IEEE SecoGear air-insulated, medium-voltage switchgear, expected to be available later this year for mission-critical and commercial applications.

The product signals a renewed commitment to offering GE’s medium-voltage customers simpler, smarter and faster solutions. The switchgear has been developed with 60% fewer parts compared to previous designs, reducing scheduled equipment downtime and maintenance costs. This reduction in moving parts also translates to fewer possible failure points in the unit, helping to improve reliability.

Its SecoVac vacuum circuit breaker’s front-mounted operating mechanism design simplifies operation and field maintenance. The breakers’simpler design features just seven common replacement parts, which makesany required maintenance simple and fast. In addition, the circuit breaker’s embedded-pole design helps protect the unit’s vacuum interrupters from environmental and dielectric elements such as dust, moisture and external electrical damage—helping to extend the life of the breaker and switchgear. These advanced features enable GE to deliver simpler, smarter and faster installations and reduced maintenance times to its customers.

The ANSI/IEEE SecoGear air-insulated, medium-voltage switchgear is expected to be available to quote later this year for mission-critical and commercial applications.

The product signals a renewed commitment to offering GE’s medium-voltage customers simpler, smarter and faster solutions. GE’s MVplatform also includes its recently launched ANSI/IEEE SecoBloc original equipment manufacturer (OEM) modules. SecoBloc features a fully certified box construction, which allows for simpler integration into new or existing OEMswitchgear designs. GE plans to launch several other MV products throughout the next several months and well into 2016.

GE has more than 120 years of experience in developing MV equipment, dating back to 1895 when GE developed the world’s first oil circuit breaker. With deep roots in innovative engineering, advanced manufacturing capabilities and a strong global presence, GE is a global leader in MV equipment.

“We are firmly committed to investing and expanding our global MV capabilities by developing a modular and cost-competitive MV portfolio well-suited for manufacturing and reduced lead times,” says Stuart Thompson, General Manager—Power Equipment,GE’s Industrial Solution business. “Our expanded MV product line is designed with the operator in mind; focused on simplifying installation and upkeep by developing products with fewer parts.”

When developing the new portfolio, GE utilized Fast Works product development methodologies and its proven global (IEC- and GB-rated) MV platform to cut product development time in half—bringing additional expertise from other parts of the world to North America, South America, Canada and Mexico.
“For the past century, GE has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing MV equipment,” says Lisa Bagwell, global medium-voltage product line leader, GE’s Industrial Solutions business. “We have a large, global installed base of hundreds of thousands of units. In the past year, we have dedicated approximately 50% of our global product line investments to the development of modular and cost-effective MV solutions, cementing our commitment to providing customers with the protection they need for their applications.”

Watch for more on GE’s ANIS/IEEE MV platform offerings in an upcoming issue.