Eaton - Experts & Thought Leaders

With its worldwide online “Eplan L!VE” event on 14 May, this time around solutions provider Eplan is guest at Eaton in Hengelo. Enquiring minds can gain first-hand experience about how Eaton's facility in the Netherlands has optimized all its processes in engineering and manufacturing for maximum efficiency. In just two-and-a-half hours, online attendees will get a compact overview how new ideas and tried-and-tested solutions for greater productivity look on the ground. News on Eplan’s portfolio and strategies round off the program. Benefits of a data-driven approach Dutch facility saw the benefits of a data-driven approach and recast its engineering method How can processes in engineering and switchgear system manufacturing be designed to be highly efficient? How can manufacturing be further automated? These are questions that Eaton in Hengelo asked itself years ago. The Dutch facility saw the benefits of a data-driven approach and converted its entire engineering methodology, including its processes, to work with Eplan. Eplan L!VE, now in its third round as an online format, will provide fascinating insights into this. Under the motto of “Forward Thinking from Design to Manufacture” will be streaming directly from Eaton’s production facility. New manufacturing approaches Attendees from around the world are invited to this online event to discover new manufacturing approaches that generate greater profitability in engineering and manufacturing. By the way, these approaches are in no way restricted to just larger corporations, but are also tailored for SMEs.  Eaton took a “one step at a time” approach and, depending on the task at hand, it can all be implemented at smaller control and switchgear system manufacturers. An in-depth look into engineering and manufacturing Eaton uses EEC to generate schematics, bills of materials, terminal diagrams and cabling lists Well over 1,500 attendees from around the globe will be tuned in online when the Eaton specialists will be showing how the in-house control and switchgear system design and manufacturing has been optimized for a high degree of automation and efficiency. The Eplan solutions used here play a decisive role – ensuring that a standardized foundation of data based on the digital twin is available from first designs all the way through to manufacturing. And if that weren’t enough, Eaton also uses Eplan Engineering Configuration (EEC) to automatically generate schematics, bills of materials, terminal diagrams and cabling lists – based on a new design methodology using functional engineering. Whereas the effort previously involved in updating documents linked to the schematics, including bills of materials, terminal diagrams and wiring lists, was immense, now these are all automatically kept up to date with Eplan. This is possible because everything goes back to a centralized source of data. Integration of manufacturing The company’s deep integration of manufacturing into this process is also bearing fruit – using Eplan Pro Panel, control cabinet layouts are designed in 3d, completely digitally, and the data provided is used for automatic cable routing. The Wire Terminal WT from Rittal Automation Systems can produce up to 1,000 wires per day, all fully automatically.  The processing of copper rails can also be simplified with machines from Rittal Automation Systems. All the processes for wiring and manufacturing are designed to be extremely efficient and overall processes benefits from greater consistency based on the data from Eplan. Sneak preview and strategy Also of interest is the direct access to device data in the Data Portal from Eplan Electric P8 in the future These in-depth insights into Eaton’s design and manufacturing processes will be rounded off with a sneak preview of the upcoming Eplan Platform 2026. As just one example, on 14 May attendees with get a first look at how the different views in Eplan Pro Panel accelerate 3D navigation. Also of interest is the direct access to device data in the Data Portal from Eplan Electric P8 in the future. Last but not least, the new single-line technology in Eplan Preplanning is interesting for users who want to logically link symbols and components in the preplanning phase. Online event attendees can also expect a glimpse into the future of engineering: Eplan CEO Sebastian Seitz will be presenting Eplan’s future strategy and some highlights on future topics – including use cases on the topic of artificial intelligence. Background Eaton, as the global intelligent power management company, has been a technology partner in the Eplan Partner Network since 2023 and specializes in the development, production, and sales of power distribution systems, LV and MV switchgear systems, and control devices at its facilities in Hengelo in the Netherlands. Eaton additionally provides a large number of its energy systems and components via directly integrated selectors in the Eplan Data Portal. The manufacturer also uses Eplan solutions for its in-house control system and switchgear system design and construction. Machines from Rittal Automation Systems simplify the company’s manufacturing processes – including the Rittal Wire Terminal WT and machines for processing copper rails.

Rethinking filtration: with BECO® Helix depth filter cartridges, Eaton's Filtration Division introduces a completely new approach to liquid filtration. These innovative depth filter cartridges provide a double depth filtration effect, significantly higher particle-holding capacity, and a longer service-life compared to other pleated depth filter cartridges. This performance is made possible by the unique helix wrapping of the pleated polypropylene (PP) fleece layers. BECO Helix depth filter cartridges The fine fleece layers provide reliable separation in particle, clarifying, and fine filtration The innovative structure and the graduated, thin fleece layers from coarse to fine, maximize the filter surface area and allow optimal flow with low pressure differentials.  The funnel effect and high mechanical stability of the graduated fleece layers make BECO Helix depth filter cartridges excellent for backwashing. The fine fleece layers provide reliable separation in particle, clarifying, and fine filtration, while also protecting downstream membrane filter cartridges. Variety of different applications and filter housings Available in various lengths, with all common adapter designs and gasket materials, the BECO Helix depth filter cartridges ensure safe use across a variety of different applications and filter housings.  The depth filter cartridges have a filter area of 0.7 square meters per 10-inch element, they are available with retention rates from 0.6 to 10.0 µm, and are available immediately. Regeneration and sterilization instructions "The BECO Helix depth filter cartridge with a retention rate of 0.6 µm was specifically designed for bottling processes in the beverage industry. It protects downstream membrane filters from clogging substances and significantly extends their service-life, provided the regeneration and sterilization instructions are properly followed," explains Elke Brandscheid, Team Leader Technical Service & Product Manager Filter Cartridges of Eaton's Filtration Division. The CIP and SIP capability (Clean-in-Place and Sterilize-in-Place) of the BECO Helix depth filter cartridges also makes them well-suited for this application, while their backwashability, even with hot water, further extends the service-life and reduces operating costs. Eaton’s long-standing expertise Eaton’s long-standing expertise in filtration for industries like cosmetics and fine chemicals All BECO Helix depth filter cartridges provide a beta ratio of ≥ 5,000 or a retention efficiency of ≥ 99.98%. These food-grade depth filter cartridges have been carefully developed through extensive research, drawing on Eaton’s long-standing expertise in filtration for industries such as food & beverage, cosmetics, and fine chemicals. The innovative design of the BECO Helix depth filter cartridges enables optimized filtration with extended service life, reduced operating costs, and more sustainable material use. CIP and SIP compatible backwashability CIP and SIP compatible backwashability, with a wide range of applications: BECO Helix depth filter cartridges, available in various retention rates and made from polypropylene, provide a safe and efficient solution for pre-filtration and fine filtration across diverse industries. Double depth filtration effect and maximum particle-holding capacity: The unique helix wrapping increases the filter surface area and mechanical stability, resulting in significantly improved filtration performance and extended service-life for the depth filter cartridges.

Intelligent power management company - Eaton is demonstrating broad capabilities to keep the power on at home, while helping minimize infrastructure upgrades to utility and home energy systems. The company’s AbleEdge™ home energy management system provides the foundational technology required to leverage any onsite distributed energy resource (DER) to power homes. Eaton is working with pioneering automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), energy storage and solar providers to create interoperable and cost-effective approaches ready to support vehicle-to-home (V2H) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) now and into the future. V2H and V2G-ready solutions Eaton has demonstrated its ability to support V2G programs with utilities and automotive OEMs The average U.S. home experiences about five and a half hours without electricity per year. V2H technology can bridge that gap, keeping the power on via use of an electric vehicle (EV) battery for 10 to 20 hours for most homes, depending on the season, battery capacity and home size. Eaton is uniquely positioned to accelerate V2H and V2G-ready solutions with its longtime experience and industry-pioneering solutions to safely manage power in homes, vehicles and on the grid. Already, Eaton has demonstrated its ability to support V2G programs with utilities and automotive OEMs. Investment and managing future updates “EV batteries present an enormous opportunity to enable home energy systems that work smarter, harder and more effectively — keeping the power on and reducing home energy costs,” said Paul Ryan, General Manager of Connected Solutions and EV Charging at Eaton. He adds, “We’re delivering the breakout technology and industry collaborations needed so that homeowners can power their homes in new ways, while minimizing infrastructure investment and managing future updates through interoperability with onsite energy sources.” Home energy management system Eaton is applying its Home as a Grid approach, which simplifies the energy transition Eaton is applying its Home as a Grid approach, which simplifies the energy transition and is designed for interoperability and cybersecurity to safely and effectively enable V2H. In North America, the AbleEdge home energy management system can pair EV batteries, as well as solar and energy storage with residential electrical systems to provide power during grid outages and peak demand times. Process of incorporating DERs Eaton’s technologies streamline the process of incorporating DERs for homeowners by avoiding costly electric panel and service upgrades that can take weeks to complete – delivering significant cost and time savings. The company is expediting installations through its collaboration with Treehouse, which is providing consumers with fast, accurate pricing and end-to-end installation capabilities with licensed electricians. Partnership with Munich Electrification Eaton told its alliance with Munich Electrification to develop and market its BCS Eaton is also facilitating power distribution and protection within electric vehicles by utilizing industry-pioneering technologies that safeguard and manage power, particularly during the charging process. Eaton recently announced its partnership with Munich Electrification to develop and market its battery configuration switch (BCS), which enables more flexibility in EV charging options, reduces equipment count and enhances performance. Eaton experts at conference The company is showcasing how its solutions support more resilient, sustainable and affordable power for homes, vehicles, buildings, factories, data centers and on the grid at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Eaton experts will be speaking at conference panel sessions: Sankaran Subramaniam, Ph.D, will explore AI at the Edge: Transforming Industries and the Workplace on January 7 at 2 p.m. in the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), North Level 2, N261 Mark Kelly will address The Energy Infrastructure of the Future on January 9 at 9 a.m. in the LVCC, North Level 2, N261 John Krzeszewski will participate in the Automotive Cybersecurity Revs Up session on January 9 at 9 a.m. in the LVCC, West Level 2, W219 Eaton solutions can be experienced during CES 2025 at booth 10341 in the North Hall. Learn more about Eaton at CES 2025. Eaton’s end-to-end electrical solutions Eaton is also demonstrating its V2H capabilities at its Pittsburgh Experience Center, where visitors can interact with Eaton’s end-to-end electrical solutions across applications. Eaton Experience Centers provide real-world application environments for experiential learning where electrical contractors, automotive OEMs, utilities, builders, and other industry professionals can see innovative technologies at work.  Each year, thousands of industry partners, customers, students, and media visit Eaton campuses to learn about the solutions powering energy systems everywhere. Learn more and visit Eaton Experience Centers.