Schneider Electric, the global leader in energy management and automation, and recognised sustainability leader, has launched MasterPacT MTZ Active, a new circuit breaker designed to improve multi-industry power safety, efficiency, and sustainability, to the East Africa region.

Industries today continue to face rising energy costs, complex power networks, and mounting pressure to meet sustainability targets. Furthermore, businesses across sectors are faced with challenges such as minimising downtime, protecting workers, and ensure operational continuity.

The MasterPacT range has been trusted for over three decades, with millions of units installed globally. MTZ Active builds on this legacy by introducing digitised, smart power distribution to modern infrastructures.

“MasterPact MTZ has been designed with multi-industry power supply challenges in mind. For example, its intuitive electrical control unit acts as the “brain” of the breaker—measuring, monitoring, and reporting on power usage in real-time. This, in turn, means operators can see what’s happening in their systems instantly, helping to optimise energy performance and identify problems before they lead to costly downtime,” says Geraldine Sande, Channel Sales Leader at Schneider Electric East Africa.

Meeting industry demand

East Africa is experiencing rapid adoption of datacentres and continuous uptime is therefore non-negotiable.  Research by Gartner puts the cost of downtime at over  $5,600 per minute. MTZ Active not only improves energy efficiency but also includes an industry-first QR code that helps technicians quickly identify and respond to faults, reducing recovery time and maintaining uptime. 

Furthermore, the built-in Energy Reduction Maintenance Setting (ERMS) boosts safety during live maintenance, helping to protect personnel from arc flash risks.

In the healthcare industry, uninterrupted power is critical for patient safety and the performance of life-saving equipment. MasterPacT MTZ Active provides real-time visibility into power usage, enabling facility teams to quickly detect anomalies, optimise energy consumption, and avoid outages in critical areas such as ICU wards and operating theatres.

Other industry benefits include:

• Manufacturing - machinery must run continuously and safely. The MTZ Active’s real-time energy data allows maintenance teams to detect early signs of overload or inefficiency before production is affected. Faults are resolved faster, avoiding unnecessary downtime and improving productivity.
• Commercial buildings - the MTZ Active’s smart control unit helps facilities teams manage rising electricity costs by tracking consumption trends and making informed decisions on energy optimisation.
• Critical infrastructure such as water utilities and transport systems, the MTZ Active offers enhanced fault detection, faster recovery, and the ability to remotely monitor and diagnose issues, keeping essential services running smoothly.

The MTZ Active breakers also meet today’s circularity requirements and can therefore refurbished by Schneider Electric and returned to service under its original guarantee. In addition, existing MasterPacT NT/NW circuit breakers - already in the field - can be upgraded with the MTZ Active control unit to extend its lifespan and avoid the cost of full replacement.

Key features of the Schneider Electric MasterPacT MTZ Active include:

• Real-time power monitoring and measurement to reduce energy costs and improve sustainability.
• Industry-first QR code solution for fast, informed post-trip action.
• Built-in Energy Reduction Maintenance Setting (ERMS) for improved safety.
• In-field selectivity check for faster fault clearance and equipment protection.
• Circular design for refurbishment and trip unit upgrades.
• Smart control unit for proactive energy and performance management.