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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Schneider Electric announced a software-defined medium-voltage (MV) switchgear architecture at YOTTA 2026 in Las Vegas on September 28, saying it is already deployed in a live Equinix colocation data-center pilot. The design pairs standardized, configurable hardware with software-defined functions. Schneider also outlined RM AirSeT 38, a planned 38 kV SF6-free switchgear product, and a separate “Generator-to-Chip” delivery model for AI data centers.
What Schneider Electric announced at YOTTA 2026
The announcement is about changing how MV switchgear is configured and delivered, not eliminating the physical switchgear. Schneider’s architecture uses standardized, configurable MV hardware and shifts configurable functions and system intelligence into software. The company describes automated testing, digital commissioning, over-the-air capability updates, and lifecycle analytics through EcoCare Services.
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For data-center projects, the intended benefit is to reduce the amount of project-specific engineering and wiring while making functions easier to configure and update. The available announcement describes those capabilities at a high level; it does not specify which functions are available for every configuration or how updates are governed at a customer site.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhat the Equinix pilot establishes—and what it does not
Schneider says the system is deployed in a live Equinix colocation data-center environment. That makes this more than a concept announcement, but the available information does not identify the site, the pilot’s start date, its scope, or measured operating results. It also does not establish that the pilot uses the planned RM AirSeT 38 product.
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Equinix’s Greg Metcalf, Senior Director, Global Data Center Design and Innovation, said the equipment could increase standardization across use cases while maintaining safety, quality, and reliability. This is a statement about the intended design approach, not published independent validation of the pilot’s performance.
How much faster or simpler does Schneider say it is?
The figures below come from Schneider Electric’s own analysis and launch materials, not independent third-party validation. They refer to different parts of project delivery, so they should not be treated as interchangeable or added together.
| Measure | Schneider Electric’s reported result | Source and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| End-to-end deployment schedule | 64% reduction | Schneider Electric, White Paper 303 (2026); vendor analysis. |
| Ordering and manufacturing | Up to 3× faster | Schneider Electric’s 2026 announcement; “up to” is the company’s stated maximum. |
| Commissioning and onsite acceptance testing | Up to 2× faster | Schneider Electric’s 2026 announcement; “up to” is the company’s stated maximum. |
| Control wiring, terminals, and copper | 87% less control wiring, 91% fewer terminals, and 85% less copper in control wiring | Schneider Electric’s 2026 announcement; comparison of 20 panels. |
The percentages describe Schneider’s comparisons; the announcement does not provide an independently validated customer project baseline. In particular, the 64% schedule figure is an analysis in White Paper 303, not a reported Equinix pilot result.
What is RM AirSeT 38?
RM AirSeT 38 is Schneider Electric’s planned extension of its AirSeT SF6-free secondary MV gas-insulated switchgear platform to 38 kV. The company says it uses pressurized pure-air insulation and vacuum interruption rather than SF6 or fluorinated gas mixtures.
Schneider plans to begin order intake in 2027 and expects first deliveries in 2028. Those are planned dates, not confirmation that the 38 kV product is available now. The announcement does not establish that RM AirSeT 38 is installed in the Equinix pilot.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What “Generator-to-Chip” means for AI data centers
At YOTTA, a three-company delivery model was described for bringing power generation and electrical infrastructure together for AI data centers. It is branded an “AI Energy Park” and can support grid-connected, islanded, or hybrid configurations.
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- Wärtsilä Energy: flexible, modular engine power plants.
- Schneider Electric: electrical architecture, automation, and digital power management.
- Stanley Consultants: engineering, permitting, design coordination, construction management, commissioning oversight, and climate resilience.
“Generator-to-Chip” describes the scope and coordination of these parts of a project; it is not a published performance guarantee. The YOTTA report gives no independently verified schedule savings, customer list, or performance figures for this model.
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What to keep in mind when evaluating the announcement
- Separate the claims: the live Equinix pilot, the planned RM AirSeT 38 product, and the Generator-to-Chip delivery model are distinct elements; the available information does not say they are all part of one deployment.
- Read the figures as vendor claims: Schneider publishes useful schedule and materials comparisons, but no independent validation or customer operating results are provided.
- Check the product timeline: RM AirSeT 38 has planned 2027 order intake and 2028 first deliveries, so its announced specifications should not be mistaken for current availability.
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