New MV Switchgear and Protection Products to Watch in 2026
Updated: 12 August 2026
Scope: Medium-voltage switchgear, protection, control and digital substation technology
The medium-voltage market is moving in two clear directions: fluorinated-gas-free primary equipment and more software-defined protection architectures. This technical roundup introduces eight recent or current-generation products that deserve attention in 2026. It distinguishes products already released from equipment that is still being introduced or offered for preorder.
Editorial note: Learn Switchgear has no commercial relationship with the manufacturers listed below. Ratings must always be confirmed against the latest manufacturer documentation and the exact project configuration.
At a glance
| Area | Product | Current status | Key rating or focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead switching | Lucy Electric AirTec LX | Launched July 2026 | 12–38 kV; vacuum LBS; solid dielectric |
| Primary GIS | Schneider Electric GM AirSeT Performance | Current 2026 range | Pure-air GIS; up to 24 kV, 25 kA and 2000 A depending on configuration |
| Secondary switchgear | Eaton Xiria NGX | Current-generation range | 24 kV; 1250 A; 25 kA/3 s |
| Secondary GIS | Ormazabal cgm.zero24 | Current F-gas-free range | 24 kV; 630 A; 20 kA |
| Digital P&C | ABB REX600 | Launched February 2026 | Merging unit plus local backup protection |
| Multiapplication relay | ABB REX615 | Expanded in 2026 | Successor platform for the 615 and 620 series |
| High-end protection | Schneider Electric PowerLogic P7 | Current 2026 platform | Modular, cybersecure and virtualization-ready |
| Line protection | SEL-9L | Preorder in 2026 | Distance protection and configurable communications |
New and current-generation MV switchgear
1. Lucy Electric AirTec LX: solid-dielectric overhead switching up to 38 kV
Lucy Electric launched the AirTec LX on 16 July 2026. It is a pole-mounted load-break switch that uses vacuum interruption and hydrophobic cycloaliphatic epoxy insulation instead of SF₆. The range covers 12, 24 and 38 kV. The 38 kV version is rated at 800 A, while the 12 and 24 kV versions are rated at 630 A. All versions list 16 kA for 3 seconds short-time withstand, M2 mechanical endurance, E3 electrical endurance and an IP68 enclosure.
The product can be operated manually, locally or remotely. Integration with Lucy Electric’s Gemini RTU enables remote monitoring, fault indication, sectionalising and automated restoration schemes.
Engineering view: AirTec LX is particularly relevant for overhead distribution networks exposed to pollution, coastal conditions and high UV. It is an LBS rather than a circuit breaker, so protection coordination and fault-clearing responsibility must be defined elsewhere in the network.
Official Lucy Electric product page and ratings
2. Schneider Electric GM AirSeT Performance: pure-air primary GIS
GM AirSeT Performance extends Schneider Electric’s AirSeT concept into demanding primary-distribution applications. It uses pure air for insulation and vacuum for interruption, avoiding both SF₆ and alternative fluorinated gas mixtures. Schneider’s 2026 documentation covers equipment up to 24 kV and 25 kA, with rated-current capability reaching 2000 A depending on the selected version and cubicle arrangement.
Digital variants add thermal, environmental and gas-pressure monitoring. Extended options include partial-discharge monitoring, breaker-health monitoring, arc-flash detection and remote control. A common architecture across the range is intended to reduce training and spare-part complexity.
Engineering view: The important change is not only the insulating medium. GM AirSeT combines sealed GIS construction with condition monitoring and remote operation, making it relevant for utilities, data centres and electro-intensive plants. The exact 24/36 kV availability and rating combination should be checked for the target market because Schneider is rolling out the range in stages.
Official GM AirSeT Performance range | June 2026 official catalogue
3. Eaton Xiria NGX: natural-air secondary switchgear with higher ratings
Xiria NGX is Eaton’s modular platform for high-end secondary distribution. It reaches 24 kV, 1250 A and 25 kA for 3 seconds while using natural air without overpressure inside a sealed IP65 stainless-steel tank. Panels are 500 mm wide, and the range includes circuit-breaker, riser/sectionaliser and metering panels.
The equipment is designed around maintenance-free primary parts and mechanism, with extension between panels through connection cones. Eaton also lists internal-arc classification AFL(R) 25 kA for 1 second and remote-operation options.
Engineering view: Xiria NGX sits between conventional RMU ratings and larger primary switchgear. It is a strong candidate where 630 A secondary equipment is insufficient but the footprint and maintenance demands of withdrawable AIS are undesirable.
Official Eaton Xiria NGX product page
4. Ormazabal cgm.zero24: F-gas-free secondary GIS with familiar pressure levels
Ormazabal’s cgm.zero24 is a modular secondary-distribution GIS using industrial natural air. Published ratings are up to 24 kV, 630 A and 20 kA, with IAC AFL(R) 20 kA for 1 second. The filling pressure is below 1.5 bar absolute, and the range is designed to integrate sensors, remote monitoring, control and protection equipment.
Engineering view: Its main practical proposition is continuity: a familiar RMU-style architecture, relatively low filling pressure and digital readiness while eliminating fluorinated gas. It is most relevant to secondary substations and ring networks rather than high-current primary distribution.
Official Ormazabal cgm.zero24 product page
New protection, control and digital-substation platforms
5. ABB REX600: merging unit with independent backup protection
ABB launched REX600 in February 2026 as a compact DIN-rail-mounted protection and control device for digital substations. It combines merging-unit functionality with configurable protection, control, measurement, fault detection and local backup protection.
The platform supports IEC 61850 Edition 2, IEC 61850-9-2 LE and IEC 61869-9 process-bus interfaces, IEEE 1588 v2 time synchronisation and the IEC 61869-13 stand-alone merging-unit standard. It can operate with ABB’s SSC600 centralized protection platform or in stand-alone and hybrid architectures.
Engineering view: REX600 addresses a key weakness of fully centralized protection: dependency on communication and the central computing device. Local backup functions can preserve essential protection when the station-level link is interrupted. Its value therefore depends heavily on the process-bus design, time synchronisation, redundancy concept and testing strategy.
Official ABB launch announcement | Official ABB architecture overview
6. ABB REX615: the configurable successor to the 615 and 620 series
REX615 is ABB’s all-in-one protection and control relay for primary and secondary distribution. It covers feeder, line differential, transformer, machine, shunt-capacitor, interconnection, automatic-voltage-regulation, voltage, busbar and arc-protection applications. ABB positions it as the next step for the widely installed 615 and 620 series.
The major 2026 development is the expanded product connectivity level, which increases application coverage and provides up to 12 analogue and 64 binary channels in the relevant configuration. The modular hardware and software approach supports standardisation on a smaller number of relay variants.
Engineering view: For panel builders, the strongest benefit is migration rather than novelty alone: ABB states that dimensions, modules and wiring connections remain compatible with the earlier platform. Nevertheless, replacement projects still require a full review of functions, I/O mapping, communication, logic, disturbance recording and test procedures.
Official ABB REX615 product page | Official ABB release details
7. Schneider Electric PowerLogic P7: one high-end platform for multiple assets
PowerLogic P7 is Schneider Electric’s modular protection and control platform for demanding MV and HV applications. The range supports feeder protection as well as motor, generator and two-/three-winding transformer differential applications. Published configurations support up to 40 binary inputs and 36 binary outputs, with a 7-inch colour touchscreen and a common engineering environment.
Schneider describes the platform as cybersecure and prepared for virtualization. The April 2026 user manual reflects the continuing development of the platform and associated engineering workflow.
Engineering view: P7 is aimed at complex schemes where a simple overcurrent relay would be underused. Its value is strongest when the project can standardise engineering, HMI, cyber-security controls and spares across several protection applications.
Official Schneider PowerLogic P7 range | Official P7 characteristics
8. SEL-9L: the first product in SEL’s new 9 Series platform
The SEL-9L is the first announced relay in SEL’s new 9 Series and is available for preorder in 2026. It is a line-protection relay for lines of any length or voltage level, with up to five distance-protection zones, subcycle operation, communications-assisted tripping and advanced trip-circuit monitoring.
Hardware features include a 48–250 V power supply, software-selectable contact-input ranges, configurable SFP communication ports and integrated IEC 61850 support. Engineering is performed with SEL Grid Configurator, which adds visualisation, reporting and multi-device settings management.
Engineering view: SEL-9L is relevant where line distance or pilot protection is required; it is not a direct substitute for a basic MV feeder overcurrent relay. Because it is still a preorder product, availability, approved firmware, utility acceptance and regional support should be confirmed before it is specified in a live project.
Official SEL-9L product page | Official SEL 9 Series overview
Which products fit which application?
| Application | Products worth shortlisting | Main selection issue |
|---|---|---|
| Overhead feeder automation | Lucy AirTec LX | LBS duty, RTU integration and upstream fault clearing |
| Compact primary GIS, up to 24 kV | GM AirSeT Performance | Ratings, internal arc, local availability and lifecycle support |
| High-end secondary distribution | Eaton Xiria NGX | 1250 A/25 kA need versus footprint and extensibility |
| RMU and ring network | Ormazabal cgm.zero24 | Cubicle functions, automation and utility approval |
| Centralized/digital protection | ABB REX600 with SSC600 | Process bus, redundancy, time sync and test method |
| Relay standardisation and retrofit | ABB REX615; Schneider PowerLogic P7 | Legacy compatibility, I/O count and application complexity |
| Distance and pilot line protection | SEL-9L | Availability, communication channel and protection philosophy |
What is the real 2026 trend?
The most important development is not a single product. It is the convergence of three changes:
- F-gas-free insulation is moving from low-rated RMUs into primary GIS and higher short-circuit ratings.
- Vacuum interruption is becoming the common switching technology across overhead, secondary and primary applications.
- Protection architecture is becoming modular and software-oriented, with process-bus merging units, centralized functions, virtualization readiness and stronger cyber-security requirements.
For specification engineers, “SF₆-free” or “digital” is not enough. A technically sound comparison must still address rated values, internal-arc classification, service continuity, pressure-relief design, cable and sensor interfaces, network redundancy, time synchronisation, testing, spare parts and local service capability.
Source and copyright note: This is an independent editorial analysis written by Learn Switchgear from publicly available manufacturer information. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. No manufacturer text or imagery has been reproduced as an official endorsement.