APC 2003 Annual Report Download - page 15

Electrical Distribution
Our electrical products and equipment are generally
classified by voltage. The portfolio currently includes
high, medium and low voltage products and equip-
ment.
Low voltage: Electrical distribution products up to
1 kV for industrial, commercial and residential build-
ings. This category includes wiring products and final
low voltage / ultra terminal equipment such as circuit
breakers, switches and sockets.
Medium voltage: Electrical switchgear and equip-
ment from 1 kV to 52 kV. The products in this cate-
gory are generally used to transform and manage
high voltage electricity from the distribution grid. The
medium voltage power is then sent directly to end
users in industrial buildings and large commercial
installations or transformed into low voltage power
for small commercial buildings and homes.
High voltage: Electrical switchgear and equipment
from 52 KV to 800 kV. The equipment in this catego-
ry is generally used by electric companies for power
generation, transmission and distribution. In January
2001, we transferred our high-voltage business to VA
Tech Schneider High Voltage GmbH, a joint venture
in which we hold a 40% interest.
Automation & Control
This category includes industrial control products for
controlling and supplying power to equipment and
automation solutions, notably programmable logic
controllers.
Sales by product category
Category % sales % sales % sales
2001 2002 2003
Electrical Distribution
Low voltage
(inc. Ultra Terminal) 51 % 51 % 52 %
Medium voltage 19 % 19 % 17 %
Automation
& Control 30 % 30 % 31 %
Schneider Electric is committed to constantly improv-
ing and extending its lineup of products, equipment
and services. Recent developments include:
1 - Prisma+ low voltage switchboards, introduced in
Belgium and Italy in 2003 and scheduled for launch
in other major countries in 2004. These highly func-
tional units represent a major advance in the
Residential, Buildings and Industry markets.
2 - Easypact low voltage power circuit breakers for
applications up to 100 A, in Asia, and Fupact low
voltage fuse switches, in Eastern Europe.
3 - Domae electric products for homes in internation-
al markets and the Eloge range for the residential
market in France. Eloge includes easy-to-connect
modular switchgear, enclosures and phase/neutral
systems. The range’s functional features and attrac-
tive design are particularly appreciated by electri-
cians and contractors.
4 - Evolis medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers
(17.5 kV). Evolis was developed to meet the needs of
increasingly environmentally-conscious users in
Western countries and emerging economies.
5 - Satia MV/LV substations, which offer a compact,
integrated solution for users and electric companies.
The units are extremely easy to install and offer a
30% to 50% smaller footprint depending on the
model.
6 - Sepam 80 protection and monitoring units and
PM800 metering and control units, which upgrade
existing ranges with enhanced functionalities, safety
and intelligence in the switchboards.
7 - The development of embedded web technologies
and new Transparent Ready™solutions that optimize
electrical distribution performance. This makes cus-
tomers more competitive and provides them with a
real advantage over rivals by facilitating access to
information and ensuring a better return on invest-
ment.
8 - Telemecanique TeSys U motor starters, which for
the first time combine protection, switching and com-
munication functions in a single product. This mixture
of electronic and electromechanical technologies
has reduced wiring costs by 80% and the number of
spare parts by a factor of 10.
9 - Telemecanique Unity, a new PLC platform used in
particular with the Modicon Quantum, Premium and
Atrium PLCs. Unity is the first platform in the market
that combines the most recent Microsoft technolo-
gies with Internet technologies and leading-edge
control/monitoring technologies to meet the needs of
continuous, batch and manufacturing processes.
Systems integrators, OEMs and final users can link
Unity’s software to other software used in their pro-
cesses or different life-cycle phases, thereby
enhancing their productivity significantly.
10 - Telemecanique OSI electronic sensors, which
can run a teach-mode set up for quick installation or
replacement. Because the range is modular, the
number of spare parts is reduced by a factor of 10.
Schneider Electric integrated these features to help
make its distributor and final-user partners more cost
effective.
11 - Telemecanique Magelis touch screen graphic
terminals and the quickly renewed range of
Telemecanique Altivar speed drives, which are sup-
porting Schneider Electric’s growth and leadership in
both segments.
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