As we move further into 2025, a significant change is taking place in the world of electrical protection systems. Schneider Electric’s MasterPact NW range, a trusted solution for protecting electrical systems from overloads, short circuits, and equipment ground faults, is being phased out globally. But there’s more to this transition than just saying goodbye to the NW range, Schneider Electric is offering a new, innovative alternative; the MasterPact MTZ Active Series of air circuit breakers.
The MasterPact NW has been an essential part of electrical protection for years, with its comprehensive range of air circuit breakers, designed to safeguard against potential electrical failures. Embedding advanced MicroLogic control units, the Schneider Electric MasterPact NW series has not only delivered superior protection but also contributed to energy efficiency, making it a versatile choice for a number of industries. The NW, with its wide range of ratings from 800 to 6300 A, has been available in two sizes, offering flexibility for different project needs.
Discontinuation of the MasterPact NW Range
Despite its success, all good things must come to an end. As communicated throughout 2024, Schneider Electric has made the decision to phase out the MasterPact NW series to shift their focus to newer technologies and solutions that better cater to evolving market needs, technological advancements, and future growth opportunities.
Why the Shift to the MasterPact MTZ Active?
In UK and Ireland, this shift has happened sooner than expected, in part due to the early launch of the MTZ Active in 2024. Schneider Electric is now actively directing customers towards the MasterPact MTZ Active, the new product that has replaced the NW series. The MTZ Active is designed to provide the same level of protection but with more advanced features and greater energy efficiency.
If you’re working on projects or frameworks that do not require Restricted Earth Fault (REF) protection, the MTZ Active is not only more affordable than the NW but also offers enhanced performance, making it an ideal choice for most applications.
What If Restricted Earth Fault (REF) Protection Is Needed?
In the rare instance that a customer still requires restricted earth fault protection, the NW series can still technically be ordered – but this comes at a significantly higher list price. As of April 2025, the cost for ordering an NW breaker with REF will be much greater than that of the MTZ Active.
For any projects that do require the NW with REF, Schneider Electric have provided an alternative for REF protection within the MTZ Active range. Despite previously stating that industry would have to wait until the end of 2025 or early 2026, the MTZ X has been launched with a software package that will offer the ability to handle REF protection, making the MTZ Active a complete solution for all future needs.
Embrace the Future with MTZ Active
The transition from the MasterPact NW to the MTZ Active is part of Schneider Electric’s ongoing commitment to providing safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendly solutions. For the UK and Ireland, the time to make this change is now. While the MasterPact NW has served us well, the MTZ Active is the future of electrical protection, with more advanced capabilities and a user-friendly design.
For any project moving forward, we encourage you to explore the MTZ Active as your primary solution. As the MTZ Active and MTZ X continue to evolve, you can rest assured that Schneider Electric is committed to meeting the demands of the market and providing the very best electrical system protection solutions for years to come.
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BPX are the UK and Ireland’s largest independent industrial technology partners of Schneider Electric, and Global Alliance Master IAD – Sustainability specialists. Our well-stocked eCommerce store, distribution hubs and branch network are ably supported by highly-skilled and knowledge team of Application Support Engineers. If you would like to talk to one of them about your transition from the MasterPact NW range to the new and improved MTZ Active range, please submit the contact form below, and we’ll be back in touch at the earliest opportunity.
