For more TECHNOLOGY news visit www.drivesncontrols.com TECHNOLOGY n 17 www.drivesncontrols.com May 2026 SIEMENS SMART INFRASTRUCTURE has launched a portfolio of DC (direct current) protection and switching systems, designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable, efficient and reliable lowvoltage industrial switching and power distribution technologies. It says that devices can interrupt circuits in microseconds to protect sensitive components in manufacturing, battery storage systems, and data centres – especially AI factories. They will also result in savings of up to 80% in peak power consumption, and up to 50% less material being needed for cabling and busbars. Siemens’ DC portfolio includes circuit-breakers, switching devices, low-voltage switchboards and busbar trunking systems. The shift from AC (alternating current) to DC technology is a critical step in the global energy transition, according to Siemens. Renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics and battery storage systems generate and store electricity as DC. By avoiding DC-to-AC conversion losses and allowing renewable sources to be integrated directly, DC systems offer a more efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional AC grids. Siemens says it is at the forefront of this transformation, carrying out extensive r&d, and participating in initiatives such as the Open Direct Current Alliance (ODCA) and Current/OS – an open partnership dedicated to reliable and sustainable AC/DC power distribution . A key innovation in the new portfolio is the Sentron 3QD2 solid-state circuit-breaker. Using smart algorithms, this device can interrupt short circuits in microseconds – up to 1,000 times faster than conventional systems. These capabilities promise enhanced protection and system availability for DC grids. “We are enabling a new level of electrical safety for the DC era,” says Siemens Electrical Products CEO, Andreas Matthé. “The parameterisable Sentron 3QD2 combines protection, switching, monitoring, and energy management in a single compact and multifunctional unit, replacing multiple components and saving significant space. Being maintenancefree with no mechanical wear parts, the Sentron 3QD2 ensures a long service life and maximum plant availability, making it ideal for critical infrastructure. “Our new DC portfolio equips customers with innovative solutions that not only enhance energy efficiency, but also enable them to build a more resilient, future-ready infrastructure,” he adds. “This is a crucial contribution to the decarbonisation of our industries and a testament to our commitment to creating technologies with purpose.” Another new arrival is the “first-of-its-kind” Sirius 3RF5 solid-state switching device for high-frequency switching of resistive loads. It is designed to enhance the efficiency and availability of industrial plants. Together with its Sivacon S8 low-voltage switchboard, Sivacon 8PS busbar trunking systems and integrated DC protection and switching devices, Siemens says it is paving the way for new DC systems that offer reliability and efficiency in production and infrastructure applications. The advantages of DC extend beyond individual products, it adds. DC grids can achieve significant cost and material savings. For example, in robot applications, applying DC technology combined with energy recuperation and storage can cut peak power demands by up to 80%, leading to substantial cost savings. DC systems also eliminate the need for reactive power compensation and need less copper in cabling, resulting in material savings of up to 50% as well as reduced environmental footprints. Solid-state breakers usher in a new era for DC technologies Siemens’ Sentron 3QD2 semiconductor circuit-breaker (right) can interrupt short circuits in microseconds
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