Smart low-voltage switchboards optimize consumption in steel production

The steel sector is characterized by highly energy-intensive processes, where electricity management directly impacts production costs and market competitiveness. Profilmec Group, a company belonging to the international Trasteel group and specializing in the production of precision steel tubes and profiles, has undertaken a major expansion of its Cuneo production site. The strategic objective was to have reliable, real-time data to make the production process more stable and manageable, overcoming the challenge of integrating electrical reliability with advanced data analysis capabilities.

Implementation of smart switchboards and digital monitoring
To meet this need, the company entrusted CIEB Nuova, a partner with extensive experience in industrial switchboards, with the creation of a new-generation low-voltage switchboard. The architecture integrates ABB's advanced solutions for electrical distribution and energy supervision. The system includes M4M 20 network analyzers, SACE Emax 2 air circuit breakers, and Tmax XT molded case circuit breakers, all equipped with Ekip Touch digital protection trip units, designed to ensure service continuity in complex operating conditions.

"When designing new-generation electrical switchboards, the challenge is to integrate reliability and data analysis capabilities. Together with ABB solutions, we have developed a system that allows us not only to manage energy but also to read and use it to improve processes over time," stated Davide Mollo, Sales Manager at CIEB Nuova.

Real-time visibility and predictive maintenance
The core of the monitoring infrastructure is the Lite Panel Pro, a touchscreen panel located on the front of the switchboard that offers an immediate, centralized view of the plant's status. The system guarantees remote access via a web server or the cloud, making energy parameters and periodic reports constantly accessible. Integration with Ekip Touch digital trip units enables the structured collection of all information and diagnostic data from the circuit breakers, transforming the switchboard into a fully connected system that facilitates analysis and accelerates operational decisions.




Consumption reduction and infrastructure scalability
The availability of real-time diagnostic data optimizes daily maintenance management, enabling prompt intervention to prevent sudden breakdowns, reduce repair costs, and minimize downtime. On the energy front, visibility into consumption makes it possible to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and optimize transformation costs, with an estimated energy consumption reduction of up to 3%, a crucial figure in an energy-intensive context. The infrastructure, which is highly scalable and can be integrated with other digital platforms, represents the first step in a decarbonization journey that will progressively involve the Group's other sites.

"In the steel sector, energy is not just a cost item, but a strategic factor for competitiveness. Having reliable, real-time data allows us to transform energy monitoring into an industrial management tool to improve process efficiency, promptly identify any anomalies, reduce waste, and support investment decisions," stated Carlo Macrì, Energy Manager of the Trasteel Group.

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

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