Siemens Arc Defense Technology is your best defense against the dangers of arc faults

Designed to defend.

Siemens Arc Defense Technology is your best 

defense against the dangers of arc faults.

usa.siemens.com/perfectharmony

The world’s leading drive system 

now offers a fully reinforced 

structural arc solution

In the Siemens Large Drives Robicon Perfect Harmony GH180 Sinamics Perfect Harmony

Applications facility, where 

medium voltage drives are running at 

all times, safety is more than just a 

watchword—it’s a guiding principle. 

With over twenty years of experience 

operating in a medium-voltage 

environment, Siemens has set the 

standard in medium voltage drive 

safety. In 2016, the Siemens medium 

voltage drive manufacturing facility 

reached the impressive record of over 

4 million hours without a lost-time 

incident. It is the Siemens mission to 

extend this exemplary safety record to 

medium voltage drive users.

Superior quality performance

Through rigorous testing and stringent 

safety certification, Siemens has 

always upheld the highest quality and 

safety standards in the manufacturing 

of medium voltage drives. 

Siemens is raising the bar and taking 

safety a step further. By introducing 

the new Arc Defense Technology, 

Siemens is the first in the industry to 

apply passive arc-resistant features 

to medium voltage drives with 

integral transformers. 

Smart upgrades such as pressure-relief 

panels and custom arc filters help to 

contain dangerous arc energy in the 

event of an arc occurrence. When used 

along with personal protective 

equipment (PPE), Arc Defense 

Technology can help provide a 

superior level of protection for your 

personnel and plant equipment. 

Superior operator safety

Despite the challenges associated with 

drives that feature integral 

transformers, Siemens used the 

existing design to its advantage. A 

reinforced structure and the addition 

of integrated pressure-relief panels to 

the cabinet roof made it possible for 

the drive to effectively redirect arc 

energy up and out. This top-venting 

approach has the added benefit 

of being more cost-efficient than 

ducted solutions. 

Key safety features

• Integral pressure￾relief panels

• Enhanced internal bracing

• More robust 

mechanical structure

• Inclusion of special arc filters

• Optional arc-flash detection

Maximum equipment protection

Additionally, standard air filters were 

replaced with custom arc filters that 

are nonflammable and metalized. 

IP42-rated louvers add another 

potential layer of safety. All of these 

solutions were designed to meet 

testing requirements consistent with 

the existing switchgear standard 

that defines burn indicators and 

their positions, as well as cabinet 

integrity requirements.

12 3 4

Compliance and

Testing Standards

Complies with:

• IEC 62271-200 

Edition 2.0 (2011) 

• CSA C22.2 No. 0.22 (2011) 

• IEEE C 37.20.7 

(2007—including 

Corrigendum 1-2010)

Successfully passed the 

following testing criteria:

• Accessibility grade—

Type A, FLR for IEC and Type 

2A for IEEE

• Short circuit current—

35 kA @ 7.2 kV 

• Time duration—500ms

Proactive regulatory compliance 

Though not yet mandatory, arc resistance 

requirements are right around the corner. 

Siemens first began arc-fault-testing its 

medium voltage drives in 1998. Ever since, 

all Siemens medium voltage drives have 

been—and continue to be—rigorously 

tested and certified to the most current 

safety standards, including IEC, UL and CSA. 

Reduced operational losses

Protecting your people and your 

equipment from an arc occurrence also 

protects against lost production. Combined 

with personal protective equipment, a 

drive with Arc Defense Technology is 

another valuable layer of defense against 

arc-related dangers and downtime. 

Optional arc-flash detection can help 

prevent further intensification of an arc 

event by sensing the arc energy and 

blocking the influx of additional power.

Arc protection starts with the drive itself. 

Siemens Arc Defense Technology helps 

Siemens Industry Inc.

100 Technology Drive

Alpharetta, GA 30005

[email protected]

(800) 241-4453

Subject to changes without prior notice.

All rights reserved.

Order No: LAFL-02100-0616

Printed in USA

© 2016 Siemens Industry Inc.

direct the hazards of arc events away from 

personnel and plant equipment to mitigate 

damage and allow a faster return to normal 

operations. The result is a highly efficient, 

fault-tolerant drive that can help limit 

operational losses and prepare you for 

future regulations.

3 Enhanced internal 

cable bracing to 

eliminate cabinet 

burnthrough and the 

possibility of cable 

separation

4 Inclusion of special 

arc filters to ensure 

the highest level 

of safety

2 More robust 

mechanical design to 

significantly increase 

the level of safety 

in the event of an 

arc incident

1 Integral pressure￾relief panels to 

ensure all material 

is vented up and 

away from personnel