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Connected World, Smarter Energy: The New Age of Electrical Panels

By Debamalya Mukherjee

October 18, 2023

Electrical Panels

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In a rapidly evolving world, the integration of technology into our everyday lives has become paramount. Electrical panels, once seen as mere components in a broader system, have undergone significant advancements in recent times. These aren’t the traditional electrical boxes tucked away in basements or utility rooms anymore.

They are now sophisticated, smart, and directly connected to the broader world of the Internet of Things (IoT). This leap is ensuring a safer, more efficient, and sustainable energy management system for homes, offices, and large-scale industries alike. With this and many more, let us get started with this article. 

How Is Schneider Electric Becoming A Part Of The Energy Revolution? 

Schneider Electric is one of the forerunners in this change. Their discoveries have been critical in changing electrical panels from simple power conduits to intelligent systems that communicate with other smart gadgets.

Electrical panels making an entry… 

In this age of linked products and smart homes, it is critical to have a strong backbone capable of handling complex demands while maintaining safety and efficiency. This is where contemporary electrical panels come in.

Electrical panels’ primary function remains the same: to distribute electricity to numerous circuits and to protect against electrical problems. However, the addition of smart technology provides several benefits.

Energy consumption tracking just got easier… 

They may, for example, monitor energy consumption in real-time, allowing homeowners and businesses to optimize energy usage and reduce expenditures. Furthermore, they can identify prospective problems, allowing for preventive maintenance, which enhances the lifespan of equipment and lowers the risk of electrical fires.

These panels are also critical in the transition to renewable energy sources. As more households and businesses add solar panels and wind turbines, there is a rising demand for a system that can integrate and control diverse energy sources effectively.

A shift to renewable sources of energy… 

Smart electrical panels are built to deal with the fluctuation of renewable energy, ensuring that power is always accessible even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

Why Is Everyone Talking About Schneider Electric? 

Schneider Electric’s dedication to innovation in this field is admirable. They understand the significance of a connected world and the promise of smart technology to transform energy management.

Electrical panels are not just panels… 

They ensure that electrical panels are not just smarter but also more adaptive and resilient by incorporating sophisticated analytics, AI, and IoT into their solutions.

“Why is this necessary?” one could question. As our reliance on technology grows, so does our usage of energy. The world is heading toward a future in which every device, from refrigerators to automobiles, has connections to the Internet.

Intelligent infrastructure capability… 

This networked environment necessitates an intelligent infrastructure capable of handling complicated data while also assuring continuous power supply. Traditional electrical panels, without the extra intelligence, would be unprepared for such a future.

Considering environmental factors… 

There’s also the issue of the environment to consider. The globe is battling with climate change concerns, and there is an urgent need to reduce our carbon footprint. Smart electrical panels contribute to this goal by optimizing energy usage, ensuring that we consume only what we need, and reducing waste.

Contributing towards integrated urban infrastructure… 

Smart electrical panels are becoming increasingly important as the emphasis shifts to smart cities and integrated urban infrastructures. As cities develop in size, the integration of diverse systems ranging from transportation and communication to utilities and emergency services becomes a difficult jigsaw to solve.

Electrical Panels And The Associated Challenges

A backbone that can synchronize these components is necessary for a smart city, and modern electrical panels serve as the nerve center in this huge network. But is that all? Let’s have a look at the challenges that are common in electrical panels… 

  • Corrosion

Although their ability to connect with numerous devices and systems around the city is understated, you might want to have a look at its corrosion. Alongside this, it is necessary to comprehend its power requirements and make real-time adjustments for the seamless operation of a technologically complex urban environment.

  • Inefficient Bonding

These smart electrical panels are having a considerable influence in rural and off-grid settings, in addition to metropolitan landscapes. Modern panels’ efficiency and adaptability can be game changers in areas where traditional power infrastructure is scarce or non-existent. However, box bonding has to be one of the best kinds of bonding found inside a panel. Due to this, it is sometimes known to have an improper bonding. 

  • Missing or Poor Handle Ties

These panels ensure the optimization of power by properly controlling microgrids, which frequently rely on a combination of renewable sources. Smart electrical panels enable remote research facilities, isolated villages, or daring homeowners living off-the-grid to harness energy rationally and responsibly. But did you know it comes with a missing handle tie as well? The poor handle ties usually make it difficult to have a seamless operation. 

  • Double Taps

The “double tap” indicates various physical or hot wires that have physical connections to a single lug. This is a common case in breakers, and after its completion, there is no other slot remaining in the panel for combining circuits. One can only have the next “tap” option lying across the breaker’s connection. 

  • Oversized Fuses and Breakers

There is another problem called overfusing, which occurs at the time of load-carrying wires. It is usually undersized in comparison to the breaker or fuse rating, which remains connected. Hence, such conditions might get extremely serious and can have serious implications, like burning down an entire house.

The Bottom Line

To summarize, the role of electrical panels today goes beyond simply distributing power. Their growth into smart, networked, and secure systems reflects the needs and difficulties of a modern society that is constantly online and evolving.

These innovative panels stand out as beacons of innovation and adaptability as cities get smarter, isolated locations become more accessible, and the demand for cybersecurity develops. They are more than simply devices; they represent a future in which technology supports people smoothly and securely.

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