Writer: Mohammad Ghorbani
SIVACON panels are a part of the category of Siemens Low Voltage (Low Voltage Switchgear). Generally, LV panels are divided into three types: withdrawable, plug-in, and fixed based on their application.
SIVACON panels come in three main types: S8, S4, and 8PT, but in Iran, the 8PT type is commonly used.
A Motor Control Center (MCC) panel is designed for the control of several electric motors, all powered from a common busbar. Typically, each drawer in this panel is responsible for supplying electrical energy to one motor.
One of the advantages of withdrawable panels is that in case of a problem or power supply failure to a specific motor, you only need to access the drawer or cell of that motor. This enhances reliability and safety significantly. For instance, if an issue arises in one of the drawers, you can replace it with a reserve drawer to investigate and rectify the problem. Due to their high safety and reliability, these panels are predominantly used in critical and sensitive industries, including petrochemical plants, refineries, steel factories, iron smelting plants, metro stations, and more.
In general, these panels are very popular due to their exceptionally high safety standards and the compact space they occupy. However, because of the advantages they offer, they tend to have a higher price tag.
Each feeder in SIVACON panels comprises various components, including fuses, busbars, circuit breakers (MCCB, MPCB), soft starters, push buttons, PLCs, and more.
Siemens produces SIVACON panels in two designs: withdrawable (OFW) and fixed (CCS). These withdrawable panels have unique mechanical structures, requiring advanced technical knowledge and sophisticated equipment for their production. Even for drawing the plans for SIVACON withdrawable panels, Siemens uses software such as Simaris, which helps determine the size of busbars, the quantity of components used, and more.
