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Even though it’s been four years since the pandemic, many contractors are still stuck in the supply chain nightmare when it comes to switchgear, including low-voltage switchboards. For small and medium contractors, that painful ordeal has been especially difficult.
KPMG’s 2023 Global Construction Survey of nearly 300 E&C firms from around the world revealed that “only half of owners [are] saying their projects are completing on time.” The problem is especially acute for electrical switchgear delivery times, which can run up to 18 months, according to EC&M.
Fortunately, there is a solution for these delays. The Schneider Electric™ FlexSeT low-voltage switchboard enables construction sites that need dependable power of 2000 amps and lower to bypass traditional supply chains. By choosing FlexSeT, you are choosing flexibility and speed, giving you the power distribution you need within weeks (and sometimes even days). This accelerated delivery is achieved through local assembly capabilities and the modular design of FlexSeT low-voltage switchboards. That’s unparalleled flexibility at an incredible pace.
Because FlexSeT can be assembled at a UL-certified partner site without heavy machinery or complex tools, you can move forward your projects as planned. This modularity is what makes on-time delivery possible, especially for education, retail, and small commercial sites.
Drawing on more than 100 years of industry expertise, FlexSeT comes in kits and is designed for quick and easy installation. The kits are a maximum of 30-inches high. That means local distributors can stack and stock them on shelves, allowing a just-in-time delivery model. A foolproof app lets distributors put together the right configurations easily and accurately.
This agility, simplicity, and digital precision make installation and operation more intuitive and faster with the benefit of improved efficiency.
Digital innovation and cybersecurity for low-voltage switchboards
FlexSeT takes advantage of the latest digital and end-to-end cyber-secured technology to drive customer satisfaction for the best possible experience throughout the lifecycle.
Let’s take a closer look at the digital tools we use for our innovative low-voltage switchboard:
- FlexSeT Design™ is a new, digital product selector that provides logic and pricing live at each selection, surfacing the right information for you to make informed decisions quickly.
- Schneider Electric’s Asset Lifecycle Management™ (ALM) system tracks and stores all documentation for each feature and component of a FlexSeT low-voltage switchboard. This documentation is specific to each order and configuration, and it is stored digitally and cyber-securely so it is accessible at any time with a simple QR scan for any changes.
- FlexSeT Build™ is an interactive step-by-step guide for the assembler to help ensure the quality and integrity of the product from start to finish. FlexSeT Build™ is directly linked and paired with physical assembly tools that ensure proper technical aspects are adhered to, with live verification throughout the assembly. The testing of every section is also completed with FlexSeT Build™ as the last step. A successful result is required to generate and apply the UL label of certification.
From order to delivery in three business days
In April 2024, an Alabama-based contractor for a stamping plant in Tennessee requested a Square D™ by Schneider Electric FlexSeT on a Thursday and had the order delivered on site by the following Tuesday. This shortened timeline was possible because of how quickly the Schneider distributor could configure the Bill of Materials.
Schneider has 15 distributors throughout the United States with FlexSeT in stock. This extensive delivery network for local assembly is the key to speed and on-time delivery for any project. It removes the guesswork and improves lead times with this real-time sourcing capability for on-time delivery. The flexible modular design options of this low-voltage switchboard can also help you adapt to changes without affecting your project schedule.
Speed and flexibility without compromise
Despite our ability to deliver flexible switchgear, we never compromise on safety and reliability. In fact, FlexSeT is a UL Listed 891 switchboard. It also meets the 2023 edition requirements of the NFPA 70B standard, which represents a significant shift in the approach to electrical equipment maintenance. NFPA 70B has shifted from a recommendation to an an enforceable standard, containing mandatory language and requirements. This change makes NFPA 70B a key driver of electrical maintenance and safety in the U.S. – including inspection methods and recommended equipment – and underscores the importance of properly maintaining electrical, electronic, and communications systems. We are proud that FlexSeT is NFPA 70B-compliant.
The power to rest assured
By solving the supply chain nightmare that has kept many contractors like you up at night, FlexSeT low-voltage switchboard lets you rest assured. You can count on local assembly and on-time delivery. Mayer Electric concluded, “FlexSeT was definitely a timesaver over a traditional switchboard.” Specifically, it saved them six to eight hours of installation time. Now you can take back the power to roll out your projects as planned, saying good night to uncertainty and the supply chain sloth!
About the author
Kyle Kocarek,
Power Systems Product Manager and Low Voltage Portfolio Team Lead
Kyle Kocarek is the Power Systems Product Manager and owns Schneider Electric’s Low Voltage Portfolio. She is responsible for the LV MCC, MV MCC, I-Line Panelboards and ArcBlok offers. Prior to joining Schneider, Kyle was a Design Engineer and Product Manager at GE Lighting. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters in Engineering.
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