Siemens’ new generation of Sirius motor control gear, launched at the SPS/IPC/Drives show in Germany last November, iwill be available in the UK from the beginning of April. The range – the result of more than €200m-worth of research and development – covers ratings up to 18.5kW, thought to represent about 85% of the motor control market.

According to Mark Smyth, Siemens’ business manager for control components (above), the range of 3,500 items represents the company’s most important launch in this area for a decade.

At present, he reckons that Siemens has between 13 and 15% of the UK motor control market, putting it in “a very strong second position” behind Schneider Electric. He is confident that the new Sirius will help Siemens to make “significant inroads” into Schneider’s share.

The various 45mm-wide components are designed to click together, saving considerable wiring time and reducing the chances of errors. “You can assemble a starter without picking up a screwdriver,” says Sirius product manager, Mark Harrison. “It’s about as quick as you can assemble a starter with conventional components, and you can’t make a mistake.”

The system’s support for IO-Link communications can reduce panel wiring dramatically. Harrison cites the example of four groups of four star-delta starters. Conventionally such an installation could require 368 control wires; with the new system, just 12 are needed.

IO-Link can also be used to obtain diagnostic information, not just from the controlgear, but also from the loads being controlled. For example, it can detect a broken conveyor – something that conventional motor overload could not do, according to Harrison.

Siemens will initially be targeting the new Sirius range at new customers. Pricing is similar to the previous generation, which will continue to be available for a few years.