Eaton – Eaton announces plan to spin off its Mobility Group

Eaton

  • Transaction supports Eaton’s 2030 growth strategy, enhancing focus on higher growth, higher margin Electrical and Aerospace businesses directly aligned to secular megatrends
  • Eaton’s Mobility Group will be a global engineered solutions partner to commercial vehicle, automotive and off-highway OEMs, with strong market position and industry leading technologies

 

DUBLIN – Intelligent power management company Eaton (NYSE:ETN) today announced that it intends to pursue a separation of its Vehicle and eMobility segments (together, “Mobility Group” or “Mobility”) into an independent, publicly traded company.

Paulo Ruiz, Eaton chief executive officer, said, “The separation of Mobility advances Eaton’s bold new 2030 growth strategy to lead, invest, and execute for growth. Our team will have a sharpened focus on our core Electrical and Aerospace businesses, which are driven by powerful megatrends including in electrification, digitalization and AI, reindustrialization, infrastructure spending and growth in the aerospace after-market and defense demand. We are confident that Eaton is exceptionally well‑positioned to capitalize on opportunities to accelerate growth and margin expansion, and to create long‑term value for our shareholders.”

Ruiz continued, “We are incredibly proud of what our Mobility team has built and believe that now is the right time to separate that business. As an independent company, Mobility will be able to build on its strong foundation as a leading supplier across the globe and have the strategic focus and agility to allocate capital and resources to best serve its customers, pursue independent growth opportunities, and drive innovation.”

 

Eaton: Focused portfolio enables innovation and operational excellence

Upon completion of the separation, Eaton will be strongly positioned to execute on the Company’s 2030 growth strategy by prioritizing allocation of capital on higher-growth, higher-margin businesses with more earnings consistency. Eaton will have a focused portfolio, strengthened by the recent acquisition of Ultra PCS and the announced acquisition of Boyd Thermal, primed to capitalize on strong demand in data center, utility, commercial and institutional markets, as well as Aerospace’s growing position in defense industry and commercial aftermarket.

The separation of the Mobility Group builds on Eaton’s strong track record of value creation and portfolio transformation and follows the divestitures of Lighting in 2020 and Hydraulics in 2021.

The separation of the Mobility Group is expected on closing to be immediately accretive to Eaton’s organic growth and operating margin.

 

Mobility: Go-to supplier for heavy-duty and commercial vehicle applications

Mobility provides mission-critical and safety-critical engineered solutions responsible for creating, distributing and optimizing power for all types of vehicles and propulsion systems, with a leading position in commercial truck transmissions and clutches in the Americas, as well as high-voltage EV fuses and valve actuation technologies around the world. The business operates as a true innovation partner for OEM customers’ electrification needs, offering deep domain knowledge, proprietary technology and system-level integration.

A separation will allow Mobility more flexibility to pursue near- and long-term growth opportunities, including in markets where it is well positioned with leading technologies serving heavy-, medium- and light-duty trucks, passenger vehicles and off-highway vehicles.

 

Transaction details

Through the transaction, Eaton and Mobility are each expected to benefit from:

  • Increased focus on core businesses and strategic priorities;
  • Tailored capital allocation strategy with flexibility to invest in profitable organic and inorganic growth opportunities;
  • Improved ability to adapt quickly to leverage evolving market dynamics to deliver consistent returns; and
  • Distinct investment profiles that position each company to unlock greater long-term sustainable value.

Eaton expects to complete the anticipated spin-off by the end of the first quarter of 2027, subject to the satisfaction of customary legal and regulatory requirements and approvals, including final approval of the Company’s Board of Directors and effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The planned separation is expected to be completed in a manner that is tax-free to Eaton shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

Fourth quarter 2025 results and conference call details

Eaton will announce fourth quarter 2025 earnings on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, before the opening of the New York Stock Exchange, and senior management will discuss the separation transaction and review fourth quarter 2025 earnings results on a conference call at 11:00 a.m. ET that day. The conference call will be available through a live webcast that can be accessed via the Eaton Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Results link on Eaton’s home page at www.eaton.com. The call replay and news release will also be available at the same link.

 

Advisors

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is serving as Eaton’s financial advisor on the transaction and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Hogan Lovells are acting as legal counsel to Eaton. Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher is serving as Eaton’s strategic communications advisor.

 

 

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws about Eaton’s intention to pursue a separation of its Mobility business. These statements should be used with caution and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of Eaton’s control. Investors can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. The words “may”, “will”, “could”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “scheduled” and other words of similar meaning in connection with future events or future operating or financial performance are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, which are intended to enjoy the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act as well as other legal protections, are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Eaton’s ability to receive all required approvals and consummate the spin-off transaction, Eaton’s ability to complete the transaction in a manner that is tax-free to Eaton shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the anticipated impact of the planned separation to Eaton’s results of operations. There can be no assurance regarding the ultimate timing of the proposed transaction or that the transaction will be completed as expected or at all. For a discussion of other risks and uncertainties, and other important factors, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see the “Risk Factors” section, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties and other important factors, in Eaton’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Qs and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other documents Eaton may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Eaton does not undertake or assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

SourceEaton

EMR Analysis

More information on Eaton: See full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Paulo Ruiz Sternadt (Chief Executive Officer, Eaton): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Olivier Leonetti (Senior Leadership Team – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Eaton till April 1, 2026): See full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on the 2030 Growth Strategy by Eaton: See full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

More information on Eaton Mobility Group by Eaton: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/company/careers/experienced-professionals/mobility.html + No specific website available yet + Eaton’s Mobility Group (previously named separately Eaton Vehicle Business and Eaton E-Mobility Business) includes our Vehicle and eMobility businesses, representing the company’s focus on providing solutions across the propulsion spectrum and meeting the evolving needs of its customers, from internal combustion to electrified or a combination of both. 

To support increasing degrees of electrification, the Mobility Group offers a suite of technologies, including power distribution solutions, power electronics and transmissions that improve safety, efficiency, and performance. 

Power connection solutions were introduced following the acquisition in 2022 of Royal Power Solutions, a global leader in the development and production of critical high-precision power- and signal-distribution components. 

The principal markets for the Mobility Group are original equipment manufacturers of on- and off-highway vehicles and aftermarket customers.

  • Our Vehicle business designs, develops, and manufactures technologies for the global automotive, commercial vehicle, aftermarket, and off-highway markets. Eaton delivers differentiated solutions to improve fuel economy and efficiency through technologies including transmissions, clutches, engine air management, fuel emissions and torque control products.
  • Our eMobility business delivers innovative technologies to the automotive and commercial vehicle markets by combining the expertise and global manufacturing capabilities from Eaton’s Electrical and Vehicle businesses.  Eaton provides a portfolio of high voltage power distribution & protection, power connection, power electronics, 48V, and low voltage solutions for original equipment manufacturers.

After the spin-off, Eaton’s Mobility Group will be a global engineered solutions partner to commercial vehicle, automotive and off-highway OEMs, with strong market position and industry leading technologies

More information on Antonio Galvao (Senior Leadership Team – President, Mobility Group, Eaton): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Eaton eMobility Business by Eaton Mobility Group by Eaton: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/products/emobility/expertise.html?wtredirect=www.eaton.com/eMobility + Eaton’s eMobility business was formed by combining products, expertise and global manufacturing capabilities from Eaton’s Electrical and Vehicle Groups. Eaton plans to further develop new products and technologies, including smart diagnostics, intelligent power electronics and predictive health monitoring systems, to strengthen its global capabilities and deliver intelligent electrification solutions to passenger car, commercial vehicle and off-highway customers.

The principal markets for the Mobility Group are original equipment manufacturers of on- and off-highway vehicles and aftermarket customers.

More information on Mark Schneider (President, eMobility Business, Eaton Mobility Group, Eaton): See full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

More information on Electrical Sector  by Eaton: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on Heath Monesmith (Senior Leadership Team – President and Chief Operating Officer, Electrical Sector + Corporate Responsibility for Eaton’s Europe, Middle East and Africa Region, Eaton): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

More information on Aerospace Group by Eaton: See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

More information on John Sapp (Senior Leadership Team – President, Aerospace Group, Eaton): See the full profile on EMR Executive Services

 

More information on Ultra PCS Limited by Eaton: https://www.ultra-pcs.com/ + At Ultra PCS, we solve our customers’ problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Ultra PCS solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles. We help to ensure our customers get to where they need to be safely, achieve their objectives and keep on going back.

Ultra PCS Limited, headquartered in Cheltenham, U.K. and with operations in the U.K. and U.S., produces electronic controls, sensing products, stores ejection and data processing solutions, enabling mission success for global aerospace customers in the air and on the ground. Ultra PCS estimates 2025 sales of approximately $240 million.

More information on David Robert Bulley (Chief Executive Officer, Ultra PCS Limited): https://www.ultra-pcs.com/media/3627/ultra-pcs-gender-pay-gap-report-2024.pdf + https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bulley-a2900a28/ 

 

 

 

More information on Boyd Corporation: https://www.boydcorp.com/ +Boyd is the world’s leading innovator in sustainable engineered material and thermal solutions that make our customers’ products better, safer, faster, and more reliable. We develop and combine technologies to solve ambitious performance targets in our customers’ most critical applications. By implementing technologies and material science in novel ways to seal, protect, cool, and interface, Boyd has continually redefined the possible and championed customer success for over 90 years.

More information on Doug Britt (Chief Executive Officer, Boyd Corporation): https://www.boydcorp.com/about-boyd/leadership.html + https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-britt-3b361b5/ 

 

More information on Boyd Thermal by Boyd Corporation: https://www.boydcorp.com/ + https://www.boydcorp.com/thermal.html  + 

Boyd Thermal Management: Boyd has a long history of developing, designing, testing, optimizing, and fabricating reliable high-performance thermal management solutions across all industries. Through consistent innovation in engineering and manufacturing, Boyd provides optimized, cost-efficient cooling solutions and systems utilizing the largest range of traditional and advanced cooling technologies.

Boyd Thermal has forecasted sales of $1.7 billion for 2026, of which $1.5 billion is in liquid cooling.

Boyd Thermal is a global business based in the U.S., with more than 5,000 employees and manufacturing sites across North America, Asia and Europe. With its decades-long history starting as an aerospace thermal management supplier, today Boyd’s thermal business serves data center, industrial, aerospace and other markets. 

More information on David Huang (Chief Executive Officer, Boyd Thermal, Boyd Corporation): https://www.boydcorp.com/about-boyd/leadership.html + https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-huang-31960b7/ 

 

 

 

More information on Morgan Stanley: https://www.morganstanley.com/ + Since our founding in 1935, Morgan Stanley has consistently delivered first-class business in a first-class way. Underpinning all that we do are five core values.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.

More information on Ted Pick (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Morgan Stanley): https://www.morganstanley.com/about-us-governance/operating-committee 

 

 

 

More information on Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP: https://www.paulweiss.com/ + Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a premier firm of more than 1,000 lawyers with diverse backgrounds, personalities, ideas and interests who provide innovative and effective solutions to our clients’ most complex legal and business challenges. The firm represents many of the world’s largest and most important public and private corporations, asset managers and financial institutions, as well as clients in need of pro bono assistance.

Paul, Weiss is widely recognized as having market-leading practices in public M&A, private equity, litigation, white-collar & regulatory defense, and restructuring, along with equally strong practices in executive compensation, intellectual property, personal representation, real estate and tax law.

More information on Eric J. Sekler (Chief Executive Officer, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP): https://www.paulweiss.com/about-the-firm/our-firm/business-professionals-leadership + https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-sekler-62b6589/ 

 

 

 

More information on Hogan Lovells: https://www.hoganlovells.com/en + With the combined talent of 2,800 lawyers, operating at the intersection of business and government, we unlock and realize opportunities across sectors and borders. Our global reach and on-the-ground excellence gives clients the best of both worlds: the ability to see the macro and deploy at scale, while always being immersed in the local context that counts. Clients turn to us for incisive advice and actionable outcomes. Our deep understanding of highly regulated sectors gives a unique perspective and the upper hand in a complex world. We are committed to clients, committed to each other, and committed to a more positive future.

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More information on Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher: https://www.joelefrank.com/ + We are a strategic communications firm that helps our clients take control in their most critical moments—from bet-the-company situations to the ongoing execution of long-term business goals, and everything in between.

Since our founding in January 2000, we have pursued a clear purpose: to deliver excellent, effective and accountable communications counsel and support to enable our clients to achieve their goals. We have a well-established track record of helping our clients assess their situation, weigh options, establish objectives, and quickly arrive at a strategy that enables them to move forward with strength and confidence. We immerse ourselves in our clients’ business and stand by them. And we hold ourselves accountable for performance. 

The firm has offices in New York and San Francisco and serves clients all over the world.

More information on Joele Frank (Managing Partner, Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher): https://www.joelefrank.com/our-people + https://www.linkedin.com/in/joele-frank-0b18129/ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMR Additional Notes:

  • Spin-Off:
    • To “spin-off” a company means a parent company creates a new, independent company by separating one of its business units, often distributing the new company’s shares to the parent company’s existing shareholders. This process allows the spun-off division to focus on its own strategy and allows parent company management to concentrate on their core business, potentially increasing the overall value for both entities.

 

 

EMR Additional Notes:

  • AI – Artificial Intelligence:
    • Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.
    • As the hype around AI has accelerated, vendors have been scrambling to promote how their products and services use AI. Often what they refer to as AI is simply one component of AI, such as machine learning. AI requires a foundation of specialized hardware and software for writing and training machine learning algorithms. No one programming language is synonymous with AI, but several, including Python, R and Java, are popular.
    • In general, AI systems work by ingesting large amounts of labeled training data, analyzing the data for correlations and patterns, and using these patterns to make predictions about future states. In this way, a chatbot that is fed examples of text chats can learn to produce lifelike exchanges with people, or an image recognition tool can learn to identify and describe objects in images by reviewing millions of examples.
    • AI programming focuses on three cognitive skills: learning, reasoning and self-correction.
    • The 4 types of artificial intelligence?
      • Type 1: Reactive machines. These AI systems have no memory and are task specific. An example is Deep Blue, the IBM chess program that beat Garry Kasparov in the 1990s. Deep Blue can identify pieces on the chessboard and make predictions, but because it has no memory, it cannot use past experiences to inform future ones.
      • Type 2: Limited memory. These AI systems have memory, so they can use past experiences to inform future decisions. Some of the decision-making functions in self-driving cars are designed this way.
      • Type 3: Theory of mind. Theory of mind is a psychology term. When applied to AI, it means that the system would have the social intelligence to understand emotions. This type of AI will be able to infer human intentions and predict behavior, a necessary skill for AI systems to become integral members of human teams.
      • Type 4: Self-awareness. In this category, AI systems have a sense of self, which gives them consciousness. Machines with self-awareness understand their own current state. This type of AI does not yet exist.
    • Machine Learning (ML):
      • Developed to mimic human intelligence, it lets the machines learn independently by ingesting vast amounts of data, statistics formulas and detecting patterns.
      • ML allows software applications to become more accurate at predicting outcomes without being explicitly programmed to do so.
      • ML algorithms use historical data as input to predict new output values.
      • Recommendation engines are a common use case for ML. Other uses include fraud detection, spam filtering, business process automation (BPA) and predictive maintenance.
      • Classical ML is often categorized by how an algorithm learns to become more accurate in its predictions. There are four basic approaches: supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning and reinforcement learning.
    • Deep Learning (DL):
      • Subset of machine learning, Deep Learning enabled much smarter results than were originally possible with ML. Face recognition is a good example.
      • DL makes use of layers of information processing, each gradually learning more and more complex representations of data. The early layers may learn about colors, the next ones about shapes, the following about combinations of those shapes, and finally actual objects. DL demonstrated a breakthrough in object recognition.
      • DL is currently the most sophisticated AI architecture we have developed.
    • Generative AI (GenAI):
      • Generative AI technology generates outputs based on some kind of input – often a prompt supplied by a person. Some GenAI tools work in one medium, such as turning text inputs into text outputs, for example. With the public release of ChatGPT in late November 2022, the world at large was introduced to an AI app capable of creating text that sounded more authentic and less artificial than any previous generation of computer-crafted text.
    • Small Language Models (SLM) and Large Language Models (LLM):
      • Small Language Models (SLMs) are artificial intelligence (AI) models capable of processing, understanding and generating natural language content. As their name implies, SLMs are smaller in scale and scope than large language models (LLMs).
      • LLM means Large Language Models — a type of machine learning/deep learning model that can perform a variety of natural language processing (NLP) and analysis tasks, including translating, classifying, and generating text; answering questions in a conversational manner; and identifying data patterns.
      • For example, virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant use LLMs to process natural language queries and provide useful information or execute tasks such as setting reminders or controlling smart home devices.
    • Computer Vision (CV) / Vision AI & Machine Vision (MV):
      • Field of AI that enables computers to interpret and act on visual data (images, videos). It works by using deep learning models trained on large datasets to recognize patterns, objects, and context.
      • The most well-known case of this today is Google’s Translate, which can take an image of anything — from menus to signboards — and convert it into text that the program then translates into the user’s native language.
      • Machine Vision (MV) :
        • Specific application for industrial settings, relying on cameras to analyze tasks in manufacturing, quality control, and worker safety. The key difference is that CV is a broader field for extracting information from various visual inputs, while MV is more focused on specific industrial tasks.
        • Machine Vision is the ability of a computer to see; it employs one or more video cameras, analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal processing. The resulting data goes to a computer or robot controller. Machine Vision is similar in complexity to Voice Recognition.
        • MV uses the latest AI technologies to give industrial equipment the ability to see and analyze tasks in smart manufacturing, quality control, and worker safety.
    • Multimodal Intelligence and Agents:
      • Subset of artificial intelligence that integrates information from various modalities, such as text, images, audio, and video, to build more accurate and comprehensive AI models.
      • Multimodal capabilities allows AI to interact with users in a more natural and intuitive way. It can see, hear and speak, which means that users can provide input and receive responses in a variety of ways.
      • An AI agent is a computational entity designed to act independently. It performs specific tasks autonomously by making decisions based on its environment, inputs, and a predefined goal. What separates an AI agent from an AI model is the ability to act. There are many different kinds of agents such as reactive agents and proactive agents. Agents can also act in fixed and dynamic environments. Additionally, more sophisticated applications of agents involve utilizing agents to handle data in various formats, known as multimodal agents and deploying multiple agents to tackle complex problems.
    • Agentic AI:
      • Agentic AI is an artificial intelligence system that can accomplish a specific goal with limited supervision. It consists of AI agents—machine learning models that mimic human decision-making to solve problems in real time. In a multiagent system, each agent performs a specific subtask required to reach the goal and their efforts are coordinated through AI orchestration.
      • Unlike traditional AI models, which operate within predefined constraints and require human intervention, agentic AI exhibits autonomy, goal-driven behavior and adaptability. The term “agentic” refers to these models’ agency, or, their capacity to act independently and purposefully.
      • Agentic AI builds on generative AI (gen AI) techniques by using large language models (LLMs) to function in dynamic environments. While generative models focus on creating content based on learned patterns, agentic AI extends this capability by applying generative outputs toward specific goals.
    • Edge AI Technology:
      • Edge artificial intelligence refers to the deployment of AI algorithms and AI models directly on local edge devices such as sensors or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which enables real-time data processing and analysis without constant reliance on cloud infrastructure.
      • Simply stated, edge AI, or “AI on the edge“, refers to the combination of edge computing and artificial intelligence to execute machine learning tasks directly on interconnected edge devices. Edge computing allows for data to be stored close to the device location, and AI algorithms enable the data to be processed right on the network edge, with or without an internet connection. This facilitates the processing of data within milliseconds, providing real-time feedback.
      • Self-driving cars, wearable devices, security cameras, and smart home appliances are among the technologies that leverage edge AI capabilities to promptly deliver users with real-time information when it is most essential.
    • High-Density AI: 
      • High-density AI refers to the concentration of AI computing power and storage within a compact physical space, often found in specialized data centers. This approach allows for increased computational capacity, faster training times, and the ability to handle complex simulations that would be impossible with traditional infrastructure.
    • Explainable AI (XAI) and Human-Centered Explainable AI (HCXAI): 
      • Explainable AI (XAI) refers to methods for making AI model decisions understandable to humans, focusing on how the AI works, whereas Human-Centered Explainable AI (HCXAI) goes further by contextualizing those explanations to a user’s specific task and understanding needs. While XAI aims for technical transparency of the model, HCXAI emphasizes the human context, emphasizing user relevance, and the broader implications of explanations, including fairness, trust, and ethical considerations.
    • Physical AI & Embodied AI: 
      • Physical AI refers to a branch of artificial intelligence that enables machines to perceive, understand, and interact with the physical world by directly processing data from a variety of sensors and actuators.
      • Physical AI provides the overarching framework for creating autonomous systems that act intelligently in real-world settings. Embodied AI, as a subset, focuses on the sensory, decision-making, and interaction capabilities that enable these systems to function effectively in dynamic and unpredictable environments.
    • Federated Learning and Reinforcement Learning:
      • Federated Learning is a machine-learning technique where data stays where it is, and only the learned model updates are shared. “Training AI without sharing your data”.
      • Reinforcement Learning is a type of AI where an agent learns by interacting with an environment and receiving rewards or penalties. “Learning by trial and error”
      • Federated Learning (FL) and Reinforcement Learning (RL) can be combined into a field called Federated Reinforcement Learning (FRL), where multiple agents learn collaboratively without sharing their raw data. In this approach, each agent trains its own RL policy locally and shares model updates, like parameters or gradients, with a central server. The server aggregates these updates to create a more robust, global model. FRL is used in applications like optimizing resource management in communication networks and enhancing the performance of autonomous systems by learning from diverse, distributed experiences while protecting privacy.

 

 

  • Extra Low-Voltage (ELV):
    • Extra-Low Voltage (ELV) is defined as a voltage of 50V or less (AC RMS), or 120V or less (ripple-free DC).
  • Low-Voltage (LV):
    • The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines Low Voltage (LV) for supply systems as voltage in the range 50–1000 V AC or 120–1500 V DC.
  • Medium-Voltage (MV):
    • Medium Voltage (MV) is a voltage class that typically falls between low voltage and high voltage, with a common range being from 1 kV to 35 kV. In some contexts, this range can extend higher, up to 69 kV.
  • High-Voltage (HV):
    • The International Electrotechnical Commission define high voltage as above 1000 V for alternating current, and at least 1500 V for direct current.
  • Super High-Voltage or Extra High-Voltage (EHV): 
    • Super High-Voltage or Extra High-Voltage (EHV) is the voltage class used for long-distance bulk power transmission. The range for EHV systems is typically from 230 kV to 800 kV.
  • Ultra High-Voltage (UHV): 
    • Ultra High-Voltage (UHV) is the highest voltage class used in electrical transmission, defined as a voltage of 1000 kV or greater.

 

 

  • Switchgears:
    • Broad term that describes a wide variety of switching devices that all fulfill a common need: controlling, protecting, and isolating power systems. This definition can be extended to include devices to regulate and meter a power system, circuit breakers, and similar technology.
    • Switchgear contains fuses, switches, and other power conductors. However, circuit breakers are the most common component found in switchgear.
    • It performs the function of controlling and metering the flow of electrical power in addiction to acting as an interrupting and switching device that protects the equipment from damage arising out of electrical fluctuations.
    • There are three types of switchgear, namely LV (Low voltage), MV (Medium voltage) and HV (High voltage) Switchgear.
  • Fuses:
    • A fuse is a single time mechanical circuit interruption in an over-current situation through the fusion of a graded electrical conductor. It is employed in the 30KV to 100KV range.
    • It is an electrical safety device that operates to provide overcurrent protection of an electrical circuit. Its essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows through it, thereby stopping or interrupting the current.
  • Fuse Switch-Disconnectors:
    • A fuse switch-disconnector combines the functions of a fuse and a switch disconnector; it provides overcurrent protection like a fuse, and it also allows for manual disconnection of the circuit for isolation purposes.
  • Reducer Fuses:
    • A reducer fuse is not a fuse itself, but rather an adapter that allows a physically smaller fuse to be installed into a fuse holder designed for a larger fuse size. A fuse reducer typically consists of a non-conductive, insulating body that encases the smaller fuse. This body is then designed with metal contacts or blades that match the dimensions of the larger fuse holder, allowing it to snap or bolt into place.
  • Electrified Vehicle (EV) Fuses:
    • EV fuses are specialized safety devices designed to protect the high-voltage DC systems in electric vehicles, featuring much higher voltage ratings (500-1000Vdc), specialized materials to withstand extreme temperatures and vibrations, and fast-acting clearing mechanisms for high-power DC fault currents, unlike normal electrical fuses found in household circuits. Normal electrical fuses are for lower-voltage AC systems and have lower voltage ratings, standard materials, and designs suited for less extreme, more controlled environments.
  • Circuit Breakers:
    • A circuit breaker is a mechanical electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by overcurrent/overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to interrupt current flow after protective relays detect a fault.
    • By definition, a circuit breaker is an electrical safety device, a switch that automatically interrupts the current of an overloaded electric circuit, ground faults, or short circuits.
  • Disconnectors: 
    • It is an Automatic switching device that offers specific isolating distance on the basis of specific requirements.
    • Disconnectors (also known as Isolators) are devices which are generally operated off-load to provide isolation of main plant items for maintenance, or to isolate faulted equipment from other live equipment.
  • Contactors: 
    • It works like a high-current switching system but at higher voltage rates. Contactors can however not be utilized as disconnecting switches. They are employed in the 30KV to 100KV range.
    • A Contactor is a special type of relay used for switching an electrical circuit on or off.
    • It is an electrical device that is widely used for switching circuits on and off. As such, electrical contactors form a subcategory of electromagnetic switches known as relays. A relay is an electrically operated switching device that uses an electromagnetic coil to open and close a set of contacts.
  • MCB (Miniature Circuit Breakers): 
    • They are employed in domestic households to safeguard against overload. Rated current is max. 100 A.
    • It is an electrical switch that automatically switches off the electrical circuit during an abnormal condition of the network such as an overload condition as well as a faulty condition. Nowadays we use an MCB in a low-voltage electrical network instead of a fuse.
    • Circuit breakers have a tripping relay mechanism, while an MCB has a tripping release mechanism. Circuit breakers have a high rupturing capacity, but the MCB has a low rupturing capacity. Circuit breakers are used in High Voltage systems, while MCBs are used in Low Voltage systems.
  • MCCB (Molded Case Circuit Breakers): 
    • Ii incorporates an insulating material in the form of molded casing within the circuit breaker. Rated current is up to 2,500 A.
    • An MCCB has a higher interrupting capacity, meaning it can handle larger loads than a conventional breaker. Generally, a standard breaker is used for residential and light commercial applications, while an MCCB is suitable for industrial and heavy commercial applications.
  • PTCB eFuse Circuit Breaker:
    • An Electronic eFuse Circuit Breaker (PTCB) is an electronic micro fuse for DIN rail protecting electronically nominal currents below 1A to facilitate the clear detection of faults and supports precise fault localization and fast recovery. Response times are shorter compared to conventional fuse protection and the exact current value can be adjusted at any time
  • RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breakers): 
    • To safeguard against electrical shock arising out of indirect contact and includes the detection of residual current such as earth leakage.
    • It is a current sensing device, which can automatically measure and disconnect the circuit whenever a fault occurs in the connected circuit or the current exceeds the rated sensitivity.
  • RCD (Residual Current Devices): 
    • It is a sensitive safety device that switches off the electricity within 10 to 50 milliseconds if there is an electrical fault. An RCD is is designed to protect against the risks of electrocution and fire caused by earth faults.
    • The difference between a circuit breaker and an RCD switch is the purpose of a circuit breaker is to protect the electrical systems and wiring in a home while the purpose of an RCD switch is to protect people from electrocution.
  • RCBO (Residual Current Breakers with Over-Current): 
    • An RCBO can protect against electric shocks, residual currents, and earth faults. On the other hand, an RCBO can do what an RCD can do and protect a circuit from short circuits and overload. RCBOs are essentially a combination of MCB and RCCB.
    • An RCBO protects electrical equipment from two types of faults; residual current and over current. Residual current, or Earth leakage as it can sometimes be referred to, is when there is a break in the circuit that could be caused by faulty electrical wiring or if the wire is accidentally cut.
  • Solid-State Circuit Breakers:
    • Solid-state device, electronic device in which electricity flows through solid semiconductor crystals (silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium) rather than through vacuum tubes.
    • The solid-state breaker concept replaces the traditional moving parts of an electromechanical circuit breaker with semiconductors and advanced software algorithms that control the power and can interrupt extreme currents faster than ever before.
  • ACB (Air Circuit Breakers): 
    • An Air Circuit Breaker (ACB) uses air as the insulating medium.
    • An Air Circuit Breaker (ACB) is a circuit breaker for the purpose of protecting low voltage circuit, mainly for energizing and cutting off high current
  • VCB (Vacuum Circuit Breakers): 
    • Vacuum is used as the means to protect circuit breakers.
    • A Circuit breaker where the arc quenching takes place in a vacuum medium. The operation of switching on and closing of current carrying contacts and the interrelated arc interruption takes place in a vacuum chamber in the breaker which is called a vacuum interrupter.
  • OCB (Oil Circuit Breakers): 
    • It uses a portion of oil to blast a jet of oil through the arc.
    • A Circuit breaker which uses insulating oil as an arc quenching medium
  • Hybrid Circuit Breakers:
    • Combines Air-insulated and SF6 Gas-insulated technologies.
  • AIS (Air Insulated Switchgears):
    • Air is used for insulation in a metal-clad system
    • It is a secondary power distribution device and medium voltage switchgear that helps redistribute the power of a primary power distributor powered by a high voltage distribution transformer. AIS controls, protects and isolates electrical equipment in power transmission and distribution systems.
  • GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgears): 
    • All working components assembled under SF6 (Sulfur Hexafluoride High-Voltage Switchgears) gas-tight casing.
    • It is a compact metal encapsulated switchgear consisting of high-voltage components such as circuit-breakers and disconnectors, which can be safely operated in confined spaces.
  • Pad-mount Switchgears:
    • The pad-mount switchgear is made from the same modular switch and interrupter components as the vault switchgear. This means all components are sealed, submersible and protected, so you don’t have to worry about tracking, animal infestation, corrosion or the effects of condensation inside the enclosure.
  • Ring Main Unit (RMU):
    • A ring Main Unit (RMU) is a Medium-Voltage, gas-insulated, fully sealed cabinet used to measure, connect, and integrate transformer protection functions with a fixed type breaker. Ring Main Units are safe, reliable, low-maintenance, and easy to replace switchgear.
    • A Ring Main Unit (RMU) is a factory assembled, metal enclosed set of switchgear used at the load connection points of a ring-type distribution network.
  • Load Center – Panel Board – Switch Board – Distribution Cabinet – Distribution Box – Distribution Enclosure:
    • A Load Center is used in residential and light commercial applications to distribute electricity supplied by the utility company throughout the home or building to feed all the branch circuits. Each branch circuit is protected by the circuit breaker housed in the load center.  In the event of a short circuit or an overload on a branch circuit, the circuit breaker will cut the power before any potential property damage or personal injury can occur.
    • A Load Center provides similar functionality in a power distribution system as a Switchboard and a Panelboard. As far as UL and the NEC standards are concerned, there is no difference between a Panelboard and a Load Center. The term Panel Board is more used in commercial and industrial applications.
    • However, Panelboards are typically deeper than Load Centers and can accommodate both bolt-on circuit breakers as well as plug-in breakers, whereas a load center is limited to plug-in breakers.
    • Switchboards are often the typical choice for large commercial and industrial establishments. These Panelboards generally house circuit breakers that can manage and supply electricity for machines with high-voltage demands.
    • Panelboards are only accessible from the front (as mentioned above), but Switchboards allow rear access as well.
    • Distribution Cabinet is used as a general term for an enclosure that houses electrical distribution components. It can refer to enclosures containing Panelboards, Switchboards, or other distribution equipment.
    • In terms of use, distribution boxes are generally used for households (smaller enclosures), and distribution cabinets are mostly used for centralized power supply. Distribution boxes and cabinets are complete sets of equipment. Distribution boxes are low-voltage complete sets of equipment. Cabinets have both high and low voltages.
    • An enclosure or distribution enclosure in a general term for any type of protective housing for electrical distribution components. It’s essentially a cabinet or box designed to safeguard components from environmental factors, prevent electrical shock, and potentially shield against electromagnetic interference.
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  • Main Distribution Boards (MDB):
    • An MDB is a panel or enclosure that houses the fuses, circuit breakers and ground leakage protection units where the electrical energy, which is used to distribute electrical power to numerous individual circuits or consumer points, is taken in from the transformer or an upstream panel.
    • MDBs receive power from the utility source or generator and distribute it to various sub-circuits within the establishment.
    • The MDB is the primary source of power distribution in an electrical system.
  • Sub-Distribution Boards (SDB):
    • Subsidiary from Main Distribution Board that distribute electricity to a selected section of a building.
    • A sub-distribution board or sub-board is usually a smaller breaker panel acting as a subsidiary to a larger Distribution Panel. This enables greater control and isolation of a subset of smaller circuits and breakers.
  •  Final Distribution Boards (FDB):
    • Distribution Boards that received from the Sub-Distribution Boards and supply to the final switches that connect electrical devices and appliances.

 

 

  • Valve Actuation:
    • Valve actuation uses devices—primarily pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic—to remotely or automatically open, close, and throttle valves, replacing manual operation. These systems convert energy into motion (linear or rotary) to manage process flow, essential for high-pressure, frequent, or remote applications. 

 

 

  • OEM vs. MRO vs. Integrated Supply:
    • OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): 
      • An Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is a company that produces parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer, often under that manufacturer’s brand name. An OEM can make complete devices or specific components.
      • The term OEM usually refers to products that are made specifically for an original product, whereas aftermarket refers to equipment made by another company that a consumer may use as a replacement.
    • MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations):
      • MRO refers to all the activities and supplies needed to keep a company’s facilities and production processes running smoothly. These are supplies consumed in the production process that do not become part of the final product.
      • Examples of MRO items include maintenance tools, replacement parts for equipment, personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, and office supplies.
    • Integrated Supply:
      • Integrated Supply is a large-scale business strategy for managing the MRO supply chain in a more efficient, end-to-end process. The goal is to improve response time, reduce costs, and cut inventory by leveraging technology to create a closer working relationship between suppliers and buyers.
      • For example, a supplier’s computer system may be set up to deliver real-time data to a buyer’s system, providing up-to-date information on inventory and order status.