On a mission to manufacture innovative and eco-friendly world-class products

In an interview with EPR Magazine, Yogesh Verma, Business Unit Head of Switchgear, Panasonic Life Solutions India Pvt Ltd, shares more on the company’s products and solutions, and future plans.

What are the latest developments in your LV switchgear ranges?

Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND) provides the most extensive range of switchgear devices, which helps prevent electrical hazards at homes and workplaces. We have an entire range of products like MCB, RCCB, RCBO, Isolators, COS, ACCL, Mini MCB, MCCB, accessories products, and a wide range of distribution boards. Primarily we are catering to the mid-market and economy segment with our high-quality UNO range of products.It is the right time for us to level up our position and to make a strong presence in the premium segment as well. Soon, we will introduce our high-quality premium range of switchgear products which will add another feather to our cap with enhanced technical specs and improved safety.

The new range comprising MCB, RCCB, and the finest distribution boards are designed with a prime focus on better customer experience and flexibility. Our MCB range caters to even low current applications and starts from 0.5A to 63A with a short circuit breaking capacity of 10kA with many add-on technical features for functional and safety aspects.

It also provides the flexibility of connecting incoming lines to either top or bottom terminals. RCCB together with MCB will offer complete protection against overload, short circuit, and residual current. Distribution boards with appealing aesthetics add a new definition to electrical devices and will be an epitome of beauty in home and office premises. We will also launch a 250A and 400A range of MCCBs with accessories like rotary handles, shunt release, under-voltage release, etc. Users’ safety is taken care of by incorporating safety shutters in the design. Additionally, environmental safety is ensured by RoHScompliant products.

How are you experiencing the demand trend for these products in power distribution?

With the accelerated pace of vaccination, economies are moderately coming back on track. As Government of India (GoI) is committed to making a huge investment in infrastructure, the Make in India initiative and focus on housing for all, we foresee a boost in demand for SWG products in the eco and mid-segment. Private sector investment in the residential segment will drive demand for premium products.

The switchgear industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7-8 percent for the next 3-4 years. Further, the residential growth will be slightly higher than industrial growth but, commercial growth may slow down with a dip in new office spaces.

What are the new design and safety features incorporated in your LV switchgear ranges?

Panasonic Life Solutions India is on a steady mission to manufacture innovative and ecofriendly world-class products to make user’s life simpler, safer and comfortable. The range of switchgear products are designed by incorporating Japanese technology.

• Padlocking is provided in both ON & OFF conditions in MCB, isolator, RCCB and RCBO range. In case of maintenance, OFF padlocking ensures the safety of the personnel, and in the case of critical applications like operation theaters, ON padlocking maintains continuity of service.
• Our MCB, RCBO, and MCCB ranges are tested for suitability for the isolation feature.
• The trip-free mechanism ensures reliable tripping of the device even when the knob is held in ON position.

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High-grade flame-retardant plastic materials that encase current-carrying parts enhance safety during short circuit conditions.
• The unique design of the Mid-Trip feature for MCB and RCBO differentiates between OFF and TRIP during faults.
• Safety shutters in MCB help prevent the entry of wrong connections and entry of live creatures like lizards, etc.

Can you elaborate on the manufacturing practices and quality parameters you follow in your product range?

Panasonic believes in total quality management and deploys stringent quality checks at every stage of product development. We have two switchgear factories located in Haridwar equipped with the latest technology and stateof-the-art manufacturing facilities. Now, the focus is to enhance automation in every process, improve quality and maintain safety of employees. We have an in-house moulding and sheet metal manufacturing facility which has an installed capacity of 30 million MCB poles, annually in switchgear

The quality of the raw materials is ensured through inward quality checks.Also, critical quality dimensions are identified in the drawings during the design phase and sample inspection reports are made for each component to safeguard the dimensional accuracy as per the drawing. Each step of the assembly has a checksheet to be followed. The final product is verified by the quality team based on the target sheet. Internal audits of the suppliers are planned periodically to guarantee the supply of components as per defined process flow.

Standardisation and validation system of critical processes, inward quality inspection, and master control charts are other ways to be followed. QC Circles are the major drivers for our superior process and products.

How is the growth of residential, commercial and industrial sectors driving the demand for your LV switchgear products?

A factor that aids the switchgear market growth is the rising construction activities, owing to the increasing focus on infrastructure. Also, the electrification programs initiated by the Indian Government will fuel growth in the switchgear industry

While COVID-19 did impact the businesses last year, we at PLSIND registered decent growth because of our robust channel strength and distribution expansion strategy for the power business. The robust manufacturing processes, excellent quality, strong supply chain, and warehousing provided us with the necessary strength to meet varied market demands during the pandemic.

With the growing demand for switchgear and protection devices, we have a huge potential to bring in new innovative products to the market. Our range also extends to industrial products which include UNO MCCB, Bus Bar DB, and rotary switch enclosures. PLSIND’s market shares of the products would also increase with the growth in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

With the advent of new series, we will cater to the growing demand of the consumers across segments. The product will benefit the environment with RoHS compliance, and reduction in electricity bills due to the low energy consumption of protective devices.

We are planning to expand our capacities by setting up new facilities in India in order to meet the future demands.