Switchgear industry in top gear

An analysis on Indian switchgear industry highlighting some of the most recent developments in this domain

The switchgear industry has an immense scope for growth on the back of increasing infrastructure developments undertaken by the government of India. Also the government’s target of increasing generation capacity especially in the renewable energy segment and the accompanying requirement of transmission and distribution network will drive growth in the industry. Government schemes and initiatives such as UDAY and DDUGJY are also expected to contribute to the growth of switchgear market in the country.

According to a recent report from Research and Markets, the Indian switchgear industry is poised to reach $3.7 billion by 2022. As per IEEMA, the Low voltage switchgear is one of the well-established industries in India. Rajesh Nandwani, VP and Business Unit Head –Switchgear, Anchor Electricals states, “The present size of the LV switchgear industry including domestic modular switches is estimated at around Rs 12,250 crore and weighs around 10.1 per cent market share in the entire electrical industry. While the demand for quality switchgears is increasing, the market is looking at imported switchgear prima-facie to fulfil its requirements for the assorted spaces. While the growth has an upward curve, it is slow. We expect the market to grow at a fast pace eyeing the new developments in the present year’s budget placing impetus on affordable housing etc, which will fuel the demand further.”

Gautam Seth, Joint Managing Director, HPL Electric & Power Ltd states, “At nearly 50 per cent share of the entire market for the manual changeover switches, HPL Electric is one of the oldest manufacturers of LV switchgear in India. Over the years, HPL Electric has increased its presence across switchgear products in the industrial and residential segments. The market for LV switchgear is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1 per cent during 2016-2020 and is expected to reach Rs 7,609 crore by 2020.”

However AV Jagdish, Senior Vice President, Havells India observes, “The Indian switchgear industry is dominated by the organised sector and has kept pace with global changes in the industry and utilises the latest technology in the design and manufacturing process. The Indian switchgear market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.05 per cent and is projected to be worth $3.7 billion this year.”

According to Sameer Saxena, Director- Marketing, Legrand (Group) India, “The switchgear market is witnessing positive growth year on year. Distributors, panel builders and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors play a key role in movement of products from the manufactures to the end-users.”

Saxena highlights some of the upcoming trends in switchgear segment as:

• Availability of products which are aesthetically superior.
• Products which have integrated aspects of IoT and modularity in them so that it can be used across a wide range of applications.
• Products which are easy to install and use.

“Extensive plans in construction residential, commercial and infrastructure segments (roads, ports, airports, and so on) are likely to be some of the prominent drivers for this market in the medium and long terms. Hence, this opens opportunity for Legrand,” Saxena opines.

Latest offerings from key players
Anchor unveiled its basket of value for money switchgear under the brand UNO last year. It will be focusing on adding more products under the UNO portfolio this year. “With a new facility commissioned at Haridwar recently, we foresee venturing into commercial switchgear segment with an attractive product range in the present as well as next financial year,” Nandwani informed. The latest products added in the Uno Assortment include UNO Super DB that incorporates the novel idea of DB in parts; saving installation time, storage space and inventory damage. The new Ornet Plus distribution board from Uno boasts of features such as conformity to IS 8623/13032 standards, polycarbonate transparent cover, sleek incoming power supply indication, flush / surface type mounting and IP 30 protection.

Havells India has recently launched an MCB with enclosure REO Armour. The new range of REO Armour comes with MCBs in an enclosure for a pre-determined load and is aimed at providing top quality product to low cost housing sector that otherwise rely on sub-standard MCBs to guard against short circuits and other electrical hazards. “The new range has been completely designed and developed by the R&D team of Havells and will redefine the concept of protection against electrical risks like short circuits and overload, especially at a time when consumers use multiple electrical and electronic devices,” claims Jagdish.

The product comes with pre-installed isolator and has the option for cable entry from top/ bottom/ rear to make installation easier. This product will be available in the price range of Rs 750 to Rs 1,385.

Legrand claims to be setting trends for newer products in the industry. Taking about its Ekinox3 range of distribution boards which the company rolled out in March 2016, Saxena said that these DBs adhere to national and international safety standard scan be used across applications and can be perfectly integrated with any interior. Apart from product various products innovations like completely insulated busbars, shrouded neutral bars and insulated din rails, plastic caps for insulations of unused connections, features like reversible doors, locking systems; Legrand has devised a variety of space-optimised designs of Ekinox3 which can be adapted easily to different spaces.

HPL Electric & Power Ltd has further strengthened its switchgear range by bringing a new and upgraded line of its Electrical Operated Switches, AV ATS- Advance Version Automatic load Transfer Switch. The new variant is a highly sophisticated and technologically advanced product which is simple and easy to use and has been designed keeping the safety of the customers in mind. In terms of application, AV ATS is relevant for Healthcare, Internet Data Centers, Commercial Buildings, Industrial Buildings, Telecom Central Office, Process Manufacturing, Distribution Power / Load Management, HVAC, Telecommunications and BMS.

Speaking about the newly launched switchgears, Gautam said, “HPL Electric has created a niche for itself in the electrical industry and with the new range of switches, we have entered into the new generation of automatic transfer switches which we believe will help us to expand and further strengthen our presence in the switchgear category. We are known for our technologically advanced and innovative products and taking this forward, AV ATS is designed as per the latest design and manufacturing needs, meeting world-class standards.”

AV ATS has been developed keeping in mind the safety requirements of the new age customers who are more aware about safety measures, preferring branded and quality conscious electrical components to safeguard their systems and prevent threats posed by short circuits. All live parts are shrouded eliminating the possibilities of casualties and electric hazards. The insulation property of the material used is highly reliable, self-extinguishing with high thermal withstand properties and remains intact in even critical conditions.

AV ATS Changeover Switches are modified electrical operated version of AV Changeover. In case of auto failure, Emergency Handle arrangement is provided for manual operation of switch in “OFF” position or selecting the supply.

The AV ATS is compact in size and hence helps in saving space in the enclosures, panels etc. The handling is easy and simple. Its simplicity and ease in use allows the user for quick installation.