MNS

ABB's MNS switchgear is scalable, allowing us to provide integrated solutions for today’s complex business environments.  It is built for demanding applications such as data centers, the chemical, oil and gas industries, power generation, process industries, and infrastructure. 

RELIABLE, SAFE & SUSTAINABLE MNS SWITCHGEAR SOLUTIONS

ABB’s MNS is a low voltage switchgear and control gear assembly designed for power distribution and motor control.  

As the global leader in low voltage switchgear solutions, ABB drives innovation, sustainability, and reliability, powering a brighter, more connected, and inclusive world. 

OUR OFFERING

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MNS 4.0

MNS 4.0 grows with your business—modular design scales seamlessly while smart sensing keeps you in complete control of system health. Built-in cybersecurity ensures resilience in an increasingly connected world, so you stay protected and productive.

MNS 3.0

MNS 3.0 is a fully certified, arc-proof low-voltage switchgear (up to 7300A, 120kA) with modular, extendable construction for flexible reconfiguration as your needs change.

MNS RPP

ABB MNS PDU/RPP is the solution for critical load power distribution. Among other configurations it includes the SMISSLINE TP as a distribution chassis to provide IPXXP protection for the branch MCB and facilitate a ‘hot swap’ of the branch circuits.

MNS Digital

MNS Digital makes your switchgear ready for Industry 4.0 - connecting intelligent devices and sensors for real-time visibility, predictive maintenance, and secure, data-driven operations across power distribution and motor control.

MAIN BENEFITS

Unmatched safety for protection of personnel and plant exceeding standard requirements , Reduced operational expenditure through maintenance free bus bar design , Increased availability through modular design using withdrawable, plug-in, compact or fixed functional units , Reliable, flexible and scalable fully accessible from the front , Space saving design with compact, back-to-back or duplex arrangement

PROVEN PERFORMANCE

ABB’s history in switchgear goes back more than a century, when ASEA started to manufacture the technology in the 1890s in Sweden. ​

Since the introduction of MNS, and the emergence of smart solutions in the 1990’s ABB has become the world’s leader in low voltage switchgear with about 2 million MNS sections, built in ABB premises and delivered worldwide. Now, we are ready to take it further with MNS 4.0​.

APPLICATIONS

Data Centers

DATA CENTERS

ABB MNS switchgear provides comprehensive solutions for data centers by integrating reliable power distribution, condition-based monitoring, and advanced energy management. They ensure uninterrupted power supply for critical IT equipment and support the entire power infrastructure, from UPS switchgear to server and emergency power supply. 


With CMES Condition Monitoring for Electrical Systems, MNS switchgear enables continuous monitoring and proactive maintenance, reducing unplanned downtime and increasing the reliability of power supply systems. Additionally, advanced energy management features optimize energy consumption, reduce costs, and help achieve sustainability goals. 


With ABB MNS switchgear, data centers can maximize uptime, enhance efficiency, and reduce their environmental footprint.

Benefits working with MNS:

Availability

<p>The proven design of MNS, with highest safety and reliability, is further enhanced by condition monitoring. It supports minimum downtime and continuous production. Local, highly experienced application experts and service staff provides 24/7 support all around the globe.</p>

Manufacturing

<p>Manufacturing in ABB locations with common manufacturing standards ensures the highest quality. Production facilities can interact with one another to respond to large capacity demands and ensure shorter manufacturing times. Our rigorous standardized operating procedures ensure rapid and efficient assembly processes and identical outputs from all manufacturing site globally.</p>

Sustainability

<p>Connect to ABB’s energy and asset health solution, Sensorfact, to monitor energy usage in real time and gain actionable insights that support improved efficiency and more sustainable decisions. Third-party verified Type III Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) also provide transparency on the product’s environmental performance.</p>

CHEMICAL, OIL & GAS

Today’s chemical, oil and gas industries face numerous challenges throughout the value chain. The main task for plant operators and electrical maintenance teams is successfully maintaining production output while ensuring the highest levels of safety, reliability and maintainability. Today’s intelligent switchgear and motor control centers provide dedicated information through real-time, condition-based monitoring to predict abnormal situations and deploy early intervention to prevent potential faults. 


ABB’s MNS® low voltage switchgear solutions enable chemical, oil and gas plants to operate safely and continuously by eliminating unnecessary shutdowns due to electrical failures. ABB designs can be developed to minimize cost and downtime, while improving reliability, availability, maintainability and safety. 

 

Watch webinar on enhancing efficiency and building reliable electrical systems

 

Benefits working with MNS:

Safety

<p>Multifunctional wall to mitigate arc risk and guarantee IP2x degree of protection also after modules extraction. MNS is designed, constructed and type tested for internal arc containment for people and equipment safety. Online 24/7 temperature monitoring of critical electrical connections for a safer working environment and for detection of abnormal conditions.&nbsp;</p>

Reliability

<p>MNS switchgear exceeds the standards. Fully certified, verification testing is performed over and above the requirements, at the most recognized laboratories. Enhance safety and reliability with continuous digital monitoring, analysis, and prediction. Local experts are available 24/7 all around the globe helping our customers to design even the most complex projects.&nbsp;</p>

Robustness

<p>The 1.7 million units already installed in all types of applications speaks to the robustness of ABB’s MNS. This is proven successful technology. Withdrawable design enables maintenance on modules without affecting entire switchgear operation, ensuring process continuity. Flexibility, scalability, and modularity fit any customers requirements.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ABB MNS allows you to focus on your business, knowing that your safety and operations in process industries are well taken care of.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>The benefits include</b>:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Maximum availability and reliability to minimize unexpected downtime losses&nbsp;</li> <li>Fixed and plug-in versions to fit all sort of applications&nbsp;</li> <li>Increased safety with temperature monitoring of critical electrical joints&nbsp;</li> <li>Maintenance free for busbars and frame structure to prolong service life and reduce associated costs&nbsp;</li> <li>Condition monitoring CMES to provide predictive maintenance and diagnostics to optimize operational costs&nbsp;</li> <li>Unlocking your facility’s data increases transparency and reveals opportunities for improving sustainability measures.&nbsp;</li> </ul>

<p>ABB MNS offers numerous benefits for power generation, including:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Experienced and knowledgeable team all over the word from design, engineering, manufacturing and testing&nbsp;</li> <li>Global manufacturing footprint with strong connection to local requirements and standards&nbsp;</li> <li>Optimize efficiency and reduce downtime with withdrawable solutions&nbsp;</li> <li>Early detection of abnormal conditions with CMES condition monitoring to enable predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics&nbsp;</li> <li>Lifetime expansions and interchangeability with latest generation compatible with older versions&nbsp;</li> <li>Real-time energy monitoring provides insights for sustainable choices&nbsp;</li> <li>MNS EPD for environmental transparency and sustainability.&nbsp;</li> </ul>

<p>ABB MNS provides proven solutions for HVDC offshore links, unmanned platforms and propulsion systems with:&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Fully tested and certified for marine applications and harsh environments&nbsp;</li> <li>Flexible design provides alternatives to accommodate to reduced spaces&nbsp;</li> <li>Increased safety with temperature monitoring of critical electrical joints&nbsp;</li> <li>Enabling remote operation with smart control architecture&nbsp;</li> <li>Health diagnose with CMES to provide predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics.&nbsp;</li> </ul>

SETTING A NEW STANDARD IN SUSTAINABILITY

ABB’s history in switchgear goes back more than a century, when ASEA started to manufacture the technology in the 1890s in Sweden. Since the introduction of MNS, and the emergence of smart solutions in the 1990’s ABB has become the world’s leader in low voltage switchgear, with over 1.7 million MNS sections, built in ABB premises and delivered worldwide.

  1. Enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future 

    As a technology leader in electrification and automation, ABB is at the core of accelerating the energy transition. Every day, we empower customers across the globe to optimize, electrify, and decarbonize their operations. Our sustainability agenda is fully in line with this mission. Guided by recognized best-practice standards and guidance, and embedded across our business, it aims to enable a low-carbon society, preserve resources and promote social progress for a net-zero future. Our actions are underpinned by our culture of integrity and transparency, extending across our value chain.

  2. Enabling low-carbon society

    To enable a low-carbon society, we are taking action across our value chain. With our technologies, we empower customers to avoid emissions and ramp up renewables. To cut our own greenhouse gas emissions, we follow targets that are aligned with the Net Zero Standard of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To go further, we work with our suppliers and partners. 

  3. Preserving resources

    To preserve the earth’s resources for future generations, we are moving to circular business models that eliminate waste and keep products and materials in use. Our Circularity Approach covers all stages of the product life cycle, from design and sourcing, through production and use, all the way to responsible end-of-life services. To support our customers in meeting their circularity commitments, we have in place retrofit, take-back, and recycling solutions and services that extend or give a second life to our products. Some examples include the recycling of large motors and the retrofitting of windmills, ships, and robots. With this support, we ensure some of the world’s most complex and critical infrastructure lasts longer and operates in the most efficient way. We are assessing our Circularity Approach against the latest regulatory developments and key sustainability standards that address circularity and product performance.  

  4. Promoting social progress

    We believe in an inclusive energy transition to a net-zero future, with lifted-up communities, workers, and societies. We respect and promote human rights and dignity, and strive to create safe, fair, and inclusive working environments where our people can thrive. Community engagement is at the center of our Sustainability Agenda.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MNS is ABB's comprehensive low-voltage switchgear and motor control center (MCC) platform. It's designed to distribute electrical power and control motors in industrial applications. MNS stands for a switchgear assembly that has evolved over 50 years (since 1973) and is now installed in over 1.7 million sections worldwide. It serves as the "heart" of modern, highly automated power distribution and motor control systems in data centers, chemical plants, oil and gas facilities, power generation, marine applications, steel mills, paper mills, hospitals, airports, and infrastructure projects. MNS combines safety, reliability, and modularity to ensure continuous, uninterrupted power supply even in harsh environments. 

MNS switchgear offers numerous distinctive benefits: 

  • Superior safety with design verification and arc fault containment testing beyond IEC standards 
  • Maintenance-free frame and busbar structure, reducing long-term operating costs 
  • Modular and scalable design allowing flexibility and adaptation to changing power requirements 
  • High reliability and availability with over 50 years of proven field performance 
  • Compact, space-saving design that maximizes footprint efficiency 
  • Multiple access options: MNS Front (6300A) with front access or MNS Rear (7300A) with rear access 
  • Withdrawable, plug-in (including compact), fixed, and PDU module options 
  • Advanced separation technology including multi-functional wall for arc protection 
  • connectivity to Sensorfact™ Smart Monitoring 
  • Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification for sustainability transparency 
  • Earthquake-, vibration-, and shock-proof designs available 
  • Global manufacturing network (12 locations) with local service support in 30+ countries 

MNS meets rigorous international standards and certifications: 

  • IEC 61439-1/-2 - Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies (design, construction, and testing) 
  • IEC TR 61641 - Internal arcing faults testing (Criteria 1-7 at up to 690V, 100kA, 0.3 seconds)
  • GB/T 7251.1/12 - Chinese switchgear standards 
  • VDE 0660 - German electrical installation standards 
  • IEC 60529 - IP (Ingress Protection) code for degree of protection up to IP54 
  • IEC 62271-2 and IEC 60068-3-3 - Seismic and environmental resistance testing 
  • ISO 14025 - Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) 
  • Marine standards (German Lloyd's Register of Shipping) for offshore applications 
  • ATEX certification available for hazardous environment applications 

ABB performs verification testing and certification beyond the minimum IEC requirements, demonstrating its commitment to exceeding safety and reliability standards. 

  • Data Centers: Power distribution and monitoring for critical IT equipment 
  • Chemical, Oil & Gas: Process control and motor management in hazardous environments 
  • Power Generation: Utility and industrial power plant applications
  • Marine & Offshore: Proven solutions for HVDC links, unmanned platforms, and propulsion systems 
  • Steel Mills: High-performance power distribution in heavy industrial settings 
  • Paper and Pulp Mills: Reliable energy management in process industries 
  • Food & Beverage: Light process industrial applications 
  • Hospitals and Healthcare: Critical infrastructure for medical facilities 
  • Airports: Infrastructure and ground support equipment 
  • Water Treatment: Utilities and wastewater management facilities 
  • Infrastructure Projects: Renewable energy plants including hydrogen-ready facilities 
  • Manufacturing: Smartphone production and general manufacturing facilities