Schneider Moves Medium-Voltage Switchgear Functions into Software
Schneider Electric’s Software Defined MV pilot shifts more switchgear functions into software. Wider availability is planned for 2028, so specifications need careful version and lifecycle controls.
Schneider Electric announced its Software Defined Medium Voltage architecture on September 28, 2026, at YOTTA 2026 in Las Vegas. The first deployment is a pilot with Equinix in a live colocation data center.
What changes in the switchgear architecture
The concept moves more equipment functionality into software while using standardized hardware modules. Schneider says features can be added through over-the-air updates without physical modification to the switchgear.
The architecture also uses digital commissioning and automated testing. That changes the work split between panel engineering, factory acceptance testing, site commissioning and later upgrades.
The schedule matters
This is not a broad-availability product announcement. Schneider says pilot programs continue through 2027, with wider availability planned for 2028.
Projects specifying PremSet or AirSeT equipment should therefore treat Software Defined MV as a roadmap item unless Schneider confirms availability for the exact configuration and region.
Vendor performance claims need project validation
Schneider estimates up to three times faster ordering and manufacturing, and up to twice as fast commissioning and site acceptance testing. Those figures are Schneider estimates, not independent project benchmarks.
For procurement teams, the immediate questions are more specific:
- Which protection, control and monitoring functions remain hardware-bound?
- How are software versions, rollback and change approval managed?
- Which updates require an outage or recommissioning?
- What evidence is supplied for site acceptance and cybersecurity review?
- When will each PremSet and AirSeT configuration enter regional availability?
Engineering significance
Standardized hardware can shorten configuration work, but it also makes software lifecycle control part of the switchgear specification. Version records, update authority and acceptance evidence will need the same discipline as protection settings and wiring records.
Primary source: Schneider Electric press release, September 28, 2026.
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