ABB renewed its commitment to developing the next generation intelligent low-voltage switchgear as it unveiled its latest solution, MNS Digital, at a recent ABB Customer World event at the Hangzhou International Expo Center in China.

Building on a decade’s worth of experience in pioneering the digitalization of switchgear with MNS iS, ABB has added the latest advances in smart electronics, edge computing and cloud technology to create its first digital low-voltage switchgear solution with built-in intelligent functions.

MNS Digital is a scalable, modular, low-voltage smart switchgear and motor control center, with connected (IoT) intelligent features that enable remote operation, monitoring and condition-based maintenance.

MNS Digital can connect to the ABB AbilityTM cloud platform, a local SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) or ECMS (electrical control and monitoring system), to extended Automation System 800xA or other types of distributed process control systems (DCSs). Fully leveraging ABB Ability, MNS Digital offers customers insights into their operation, by making data and information available to any connected device or plant.

Avi Ramdhin, Product Marketing Director for ABB South Africa’s Electrification Solutions business unit explains: “When switchgear is empowered with data capabilities, it gives the beating heart of any electrical system a mind and a voice. Powered by big data, it can predict problems before they happen, and opportunities not considered before.

MNS Digital provides a complete real-time solution, with integrated data connectivity and optimized reporting to assist and enable operators to make informed choices on the maintenance, operation and performance of their platform, today and tomorrow.”

MNS Digital with ABB Ability will allow operators to make use of additional functionality such as energy management, to report on power consumption and enable cost reductions. It will carry out condition monitoring for reduced downtime, avoiding unplanned outages, and lowering operational expenses through optimized maintenance cycles.

“With MNS Digital switchgear you can start your own industrial revolution,” adds Ramdhin. “The transition to Industry 4.0 and Maintenance 4.0 requires truly flexible, scalable and modular switchgear platforms, which have cutting-edge intelligence and IoT built-in.

We are committed to developing these next generation solutions, which allow our customers to have access to the right information at the right time, supporting fast and accurate decision making and enabling operating cost savings of up to 30 percent.”