Data centers · Oct 19, 2026, 10:16
Schneider's Software-Defined Switchgear Claims 50% Faster Commissioning in Equinix Pilot
Schneider Electric is piloting software-defined medium-voltage switchgear at Equinix, claiming 3x faster manufacturing and half the commissioning time.
Switchgear in a data center electrical room.
Illustration (AI-generated)
Las Vegas, September 29 — Schneider Electric said at its YOTTA 2026 event that it is piloting software-defined medium-voltage switchgear in an Equinix colocation facility, claiming up to 50% less commissioning time. The design replaces site-specific engineered switchgear with standardized hardware whose protection and control functions are set in software.
Schneider says over-the-air updates can add features without hardware changes or downtime. Pilots run through 2027, with wider availability planned for 2028.
The Technical Details
Medium-voltage switchgear sits between the high-voltage grid connection and the low-voltage supplies feeding racks, isolating faults. Schneider's modules can be mass-produced and configured after delivery, rather than engineered and tested per site before power-on.
Medium-voltage switchgear sits between the grid connection and rack power.
VoltGridNews
Sources
- Schneider gives datacenter switchgear the software-defined treatment · The Register · on-prem