October 11, 2022 ABB Unveils Tomorrow Ready Digital MV Circuit Breaker

ABB is continuing to lead their seamless digital transformation with the evolution of its respected VD4 medium voltage (MV) circuit breaker.

• ABB’s globally recognized VD4 MV circuit breaker evolves to be safer, smarter and more sustainable with advanced digital features.
• New intelligence reduces the risk of power outages by 30 percent and increases operation and maintenance efficiencies by as much as 60 percent
• Compact and configurable, the VD4 evo’s ‘plug and play’ design enables easy installation and is simple to upgrade

Transforming the operational excellence and cost-efficiency of modern electrical distribution applications, the new VD4 evo takes the popular existing range – which is already established in over 2 million installations across 100 countries –and fast-tracks it into the digital future.

VD4 evo’s design incorporates Industry 4.0 level sensor enhancements for all thermal, mechanical and electrical parameters along with an advanced Central Monitoring Unit for 24/7, real-time analytics. With key information delivered via a simple, intuitive dashboard, this approach enables unparalleled visibility of equipment data, status and condition from anywhere in the world.  This is completed with diagnostics reports and alarm notifications based on ABB’s expert knowledge.

The result is a series of significant operational and financial benefits for users, such as panel builders and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), thanks to the ability to detect and address issues ahead of time, which reduces the risk of power outages by 30 percent¹ and increases operation and maintenance efficiency by as much as 60 percent².  Alongside this, through technological enhancements it becomes easier to predict wear and tear and increase overall lifespan and output, helping to save thousands of dollars per solution when compared to traditional MV switchgear.

Sustainability is also achieved thanks to the VD4 evo’s ultra-compact design and energy efficient operation, which is fully Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certified.  It is 15 percent smaller compared to traditional MV breakers and, as an essential component of digital switchgear, it also plays its part in helping to save up to 150 tons of CO2 emissions over a 30 year lifetime of a 14-panel unit³ – the equivalent to 1million km in long haul economy flights. Equally, the ability to make better decisions in all aspects of installation and repair work ensures advanced safety and protection for personnel and maintenance staff.

Now available globally, the new VD4 evo is fully compatible with existing VD4 breakers and a simple, ‘plug and play’ design ensures easy installation. While available as a standalone solution, VD4 evo can also be used with the ABB Ability™ Asset Manager platform which provides in-depth analysis, trends reporting and predictive maintenance on multiple devices and systems, 24-7, remotely and via a mobile device.

ABB group vice president for Control and Protection products, Sami Raitakoski, said: “We’re thrilled to bring the next evolution of our flagship VD4 range to market. Following years of extensive research and development, VD4 evo represents an important next step in our effort towards the digitalization of power distribution. With digital embedded sensors specifically designed to provide optimized detection of thermal, electrical and mechanical parameters, VD4 evo provides the intelligent insight needed to optimize efficiency.  It also improves process and quality parameters and avoids downtime. Add to that the ability to contribute to sustainability efforts and advance safety, along with asset optimization gains equating to several thousands of dollars, and the VD4 evo is a solid investment for all operators seeking to prepare today for tomorrow’s grid of the future.”

To discover more about VD4 evo visit here

https://search.abb.com/library/Download.aspx?DocumentID=9AKK108467A2404&LanguageCode=en&DocumentPartId=&Action=Launch

ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com 

Electrifying the world in a safe, smart and sustainable way, ABB Electrification is a global technology leader in electrical distribution and management from source to socket. As the world’s demand for electricity grows, our 50,000+ employees across 100 countries collaborate with customers and partners to transform how people connect, live and work. We develop innovative products, solutions and digital technologies that enable energy efficiency and a low carbon society across all sectors. By applying global scale with local expertise, we shape and support global trends, deliver excellence for customers and power a sustainable future for society. go.abb/electrification

For more information please contact:

Media Relations
Claudie Qumsieh
Phone: +41 79 941 69 58
Email: claudie.qumsieh@ch.abb.com

Investor Relations
Phone: +41 43 317 71 11
Email: investor.relations@ch.abb.com 

1. Based on 3 outages calculated according to data in “IEEE 493-2007 Annex A. End customer survey summary”
2. Independently from site condition, for more info see ABB Service SWAP program.  Optimal conditions (such as Monitoring &Diagnostics in VD4 evo) can extend interval times between maintenance according to NFPA
3. Exemplary calculation with data from Numbeo: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/prices_by_country.jsp?displayCurrency=USD&itemId=101

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