Manufacturer: Schneider Electric
Original publication date: 11 August 2026
Topic: SF₆-free medium-voltage switchgear, mining electrification and digital power systems
Schneider Electric has announced the power-distribution and automation technologies it plans to present at Electra Mining Africa 2026 in Johannesburg. The company’s power-systems display will include the AirSeT family of SF₆-free medium-voltage switchgear, positioned as part of a broader architecture linking electrical distribution, automation, software and lifecycle services.
What is being presented?
The planned showcase covers industrial and process automation, intelligent power monitoring, secure power and connected engineering tools. For switchgear engineers, the most relevant element is the AirSeT range, which replaces SF₆ in medium-voltage applications while targeting the safety, reliability and compactness expected in industrial power systems.
The release also emphasizes a system-level approach. Instead of treating a switchboard as an isolated asset, Schneider Electric is connecting operational data from electrical equipment to EcoStruxure-based monitoring and analytics. In mining environments, that can support power-quality supervision, condition-based decisions and earlier identification of developing asset problems.
Technical highlights
- AirSeT medium-voltage switchgear will be included in the power-systems demonstration.
- The range is designed to eliminate SF₆ from applicable MV switchgear installations.
- Power monitoring, automation, digital twins and lifecycle services are being presented as one connected ecosystem.
- The target applications include demanding mining operations where continuity of supply, personnel safety and maintainability are critical.
Why it matters
Mining networks often combine high fault levels, harsh environmental conditions and costly production interruptions. The announcement shows how major manufacturers are increasingly combining lower-impact insulation technology with digital asset visibility rather than treating sustainability and reliability as separate design objectives. For specifiers, it also reinforces the need to evaluate communications, sensors, data ownership and service strategy alongside the traditional electrical ratings of a switchgear system.
Source note: This is an independent editorial summary prepared by Learn Switchgear. It is not an official Schneider Electric article and contains no sponsored content. Facts are attributed to the manufacturer’s release. Read the original Schneider Electric announcement.