Siemens Switchgear

[Live2learn]

I have never installed any switchgear by siemens. I normally don't like to use them-mostly from here say from my older colleges. It seems like they take the cheap route and taper bus and etc.

I am curious what the rest of the world thinks of siemens and would they allow it in their buildings?

 

[jraef]

The tapered bus issue is a customer choice that people make when they want to save money, Siemens will build it any way you want it. As to whether or not I would use it, definitely. I used to work for them and although they no longer pay me to care, I know it was good stuff.

Hearsay from colleagues is not exactly damning evidence of misdeeds or poor design. Siemens spends more money each year on R&D than the total sales of their nearest competitor, you don't get big by making bad products. Being the biggest makes them targets for people who are champions of the underdog, keep that in mind.


"If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend six sharpening my axe." -- Abraham Lincoln
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[dpc]

Voltage? Switchgear type, breaker type, country, design code? Siemens is a big company and the world is a big place.

If you have a specific question or concern, someone here has probably had some experience with whatever equipment you are asking about. But general trashing of one of the largest electrical suppliers in the world is not too useful really.

David Castor

http://www.cvoes.com

 

[Zogzog]

Words of wisdom from both of these guys. I deal with tons (literally) of switchgear (LV and MV) everyday, all vintages, all OEM's. You have to go back 30-40 years to find "junk" with a Siemens (Allis) name on it. They make a fine product, better than most.

But as Jraef said, you get what you pay for. The lowest cost stripped down version of any gear, from any OEM, will have it's issues. Spec it right, the first time, every time.

 

[mmt019]

My experience is that Siemens is a large company and is into many many industries. Switchgear manufacturing is one of many and they do a fine job at it. (No I do not work for Siemens). They are in R&D very heavily, they make excellent products. They generally seem to be more expensive,in USA anyway. They are worldwide and I believe they are a German based company. Maybe most of their customers are in Europe and they tend to go with Siemens. They're sales staff are well trained, they have an excellent technical support staff. You call a 1-800 number for any product, and by golly, they call you back with good answers. I have 20 years in switchgear, EE consulting, and facilities maintenance and I have a very high opinion of them. Thumbs up for Siemens.

 

[Skogsgurra]

Your 'here say' informers may refer to something that happened some twenty - thirty years ago in the field of variable drives. For a few years, Siemens had 'forgotten' to develop technology and fell somewhat behind.

Siemens also 'forgot' to educate the support people in some markets and that caused some problems. In my view, Siemens has remedied that long time ago and is now one of my most trusted companies.

There are still local 'pockets of incompetence' and arrogance. But, on the whole, it is a very well functioning company.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

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100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...

 

[rbulsara]

Echo the above responses. You can specify what you want and pay for it.

what the rest of the world thinks of siemens

Usually, in much higher esteem than some US multinationals (or French?). Assuming "the rest of the world" is other than USA. Who else would think like that?

Rafiq Bulsara

http://www.srengineersct.com

 

[Live2learn]

I appreciate your comments and in know way want to bash another company. I learned a lot from my older mentors, but take some of their FYI's with a grain of salt. I read the entire manual, specs, brochures on them and seemed to be a really excellent piece of equipment. Thanks for your responses.

gear is 240V 50HZ 4000A

 

[ScottyUK]

Is this a Sivacon board by any chance? I'm no fan of modular switchboards in general but of its type the Siemens LV gear is pretty good. I'd take Siemens over the Italian option whose name is an abbreviation of 'Another Big Bill' and the French option which is sometimes pronounced 'sh¡te' but starts with the letters Schn... At a component level the Siemens Sirius range of controlgear is decent and the 3VL / 3WL MCCB and ACB ranges are also good.

Ok, so I'm biased. I've had problems with the French and Italian offerings. So far the German LV product has been very good. In fairness to the other nations, ABB's HV gear from Switzerland is second to none, and the French have built a very impressive train in the TGV.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[jraef]

Why don't you tell us how you really feel Scotty...

 

[ScottyUK]

Hey, these companies make the stuff: they choose whether they make their products up to a standard or down to a price. If they want to make good quality stuff that doesn't get me roused from my bed in the middle of the night when it fails then I'll probably like them and probably pay a premium for their products. If things keeps failing and stealing my sleep then the company responsible ain't gonna be on my list of preferred vendors!

And I did say I was biased didn't I? At least I'm honest!

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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!