Equinix and Schneider Electric have teamed up to deploy a new software-defined medium-voltage switchgear at one of the colo giant’s data centers.

The pilot program utilizes new technology developed by Schneider that aims to reduce the amount of specialized cabling and hardware in data centers.

It has been deployed at an undisclosed Equinix site.

Software-defined switchgear “decouples system intelligence from physical hardware, creating a new model for designing, deploying and operating electrical infrastructure that can evolve at the same pace as the AI factories and digital services they support,” Schneider Electric said.

It replaces customized, engineered-to-order systems with modular hardware that can be standardized and deployed more quickly, shifting capabilities from hardware into software and allowing customers to add new features and performance improvements without physical modifications.

According to Schneider, this can enable much faster order, manufacturing, and commissioning, as well as reducing system complexity. The software-defined configuration has been found to use 87 percent less control wiring, 91 percent fewer terminals, and 85 percent less copper in that wiring, while providing digital connectivity and analytics for greater operational visibility.

“The challenge facing data center operators today is not just keeping pace with AI growth, but building the resilient, efficient and scalable power infrastructure needed for an increasingly digital world,” said Frédéric Godemel, executive vice president for energy management at Schneider Electric.

“Schneider Electric’s software-defined medium voltage architecture brings a new level of flexibility, standardization, and energy intelligence to electrical distribution, helping customers scale their operations more efficiently while preparing for future requirements. By combining software, connectivity, and sustainable innovation, we are enabling the next generation of resilient and efficient data centers.”

Pilots of the system will continue next year, with broader availability to follow in 2028.