Sécheron
Sécheron SA is a 147-year-old Swiss manufacturer of high-voltage electrical protection, switching, and power conversion equipment for railway traction, renewable energy, and energy-intensive industries, selling direct to rail operators and OEMs worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1879
- HeadquartersSatigny, Switzerland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sécheron does
Sécheron SA is a 147-year-old Swiss privately held manufacturer of electrical protection, switching, and power conversion equipment, headquartered near Geneva and operating as the Sécheron Hasler Group with subsidiaries in India and rail electronics (HaslerRail AG). The company organizes its portfolio into three pillars: Electrical Safety Solutions (ESS) covering pantographs, DC and AC circuit breakers, integrated high-voltage systems (MODBOX, MODFRAME), contactors, disconnectors, earthing devices, and sensors for rolling stock; Traction Power Systems (TPS) encompassing DC and AC substation switchgear under the ESTRA brand and the STELLA protection and supervision family (SEPCOS relays, KEOPS SCADA, SCMS stray current monitoring, and the IOMS SaaS platform); and Power Conversion Systems (PCS) including transformers, rectifiers, inverters, reversible and BOOST converters, automatic assured receptivity units, and energy storage systems.
The core technology base is high-voltage DC and AC electrical protection for railways, anchored in proprietary ultra-rapid (UR) DC circuit breakers with bi-directional and self-tripping capability, vacuum interruption AC breakers with optional Point-on-Wave synchronous switching, and integrated roof/under-frame systems that combine multiple components into certified enclosures. Products are type-tested to EN/IEC and IEEE standards in the company's ISO 17025-accredited Geneva laboratories, supporting homologation for both European and North American rail markets. The technology base extends beyond rail into renewable energy (hydrogen electrolysis, solar, wind, energy storage, nuclear fusion excitation), energy-intensive industries (mining trucks, DC arc furnaces, rolling mills, MVDC grids), E-mobility (EV fast charging), and marine DC grids.
Sécheron sells primarily through a direct enterprise field sales motion targeting railway operators, rolling stock OEMs, and industrial customers, supported by a worldwide after-sales service network offering spare parts, maintenance, retrofits, and digital services. The company runs a project-based quotation model with undisclosed pricing and a growing recurring software revenue layer via IOMS subscriptions. Customers identified include TransN (Switzerland), Lausanne Tramway, Tranvía Metropolitano de la Bahía de Cádiz, and the King of Denmark's battery train program, with the firm operating across at least nine countries in Europe, India, and South Africa.
Sécheron firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sécheron
- Legal name
- Sécheron SA
- Website
- https://secheron.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1879
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Sécheron SA is a 147-year-old Swiss manufacturer of high-voltage electrical protection, switching, and power conversion equipment for railway traction, renewable energy, and energy-intensive industries, selling direct to rail operators and OEMs worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sécheron industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Railway electrical protection and power conversion equipment
- NAICS
- Switchgear and Switchboard Apparatus Manufacturing (335313), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353)
- SIC
- Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Circuit Breakers, Disconnectors, Earthing Switches & Switchgear Components (EUADACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection) (IMAGAEAB), Busbars, Insulators, Surge Arresters & Substation Primary Hardware (EUADACAI), Transmission & Distribution Line Equipment (Bushings, Insulators, Arresters, Conductors, Hardware) (IMAGAAAF)
Keywords
Where Sécheron is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Satigny
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Sécheron business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Products: Sale of electrical safety components including DC/AC circuit breakers, pantographs, disconnectors, contactors, sensors, surge arresters, and integrated systems (MODBOX, MODFRAME). One-time capital equipment sales with long product lifecycles.
- Traction Power Systems: DC switchgear, distribution boards, high-speed circuit breaker panels, disconnect switch panels, and related equipment for railway traction substations.
- Power Conversion Systems: Transformers, rectifiers, inverters, reversible converters, and energy storage systems for railway and industrial applications.
- Engineering Services: Custom-engineered solutions, homologation/testing services, and technical support for railway, renewable energy, and industrial projects.
- After-Sales Services: Spare parts supply, repairs, calibrations, maintenance contracts, modernization and retrofits, training programs, and digital services including IOMS platform subscriptions.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sécheron product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sécheron designs, manufactures, and supplies electrical and electronic equipment for railway, renewable energy, DC grid, and other industrial systems. Its portfolio includes DC and AC circuit breakers, pantographs, integrated high-voltage systems (MODBOX, MODFRAME), protection relays, traction power substations, power conversion systems (rectifiers, inverters, reversible converters), and engineering and after-sales services. The company serves rail operators, rolling stock manufacturers, and industrial customers worldwide.
Product overview
Sécheron is a worldwide leader in electrical protection and switching solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of products and services organized into three main pillars: Electrical Safety Solutions (ESS), Traction Power Systems (TPS), and Power Conversion Systems (PCS). The ESS pillar includes pantographs (SPL series), DC circuit breakers (UR series for rail vehicles and traction substations), AC vacuum circuit breakers (MACS, BVAC), surge arresters, integrated systems (AC MODFRAME, AC & DC MODBOX), contactors (BMS, SEC, HS series), disconnectors (roof, indoor, and fixed installation types), earthing switches, interlocking devices, voltage/current sensors, and wheel flange lubricators. The TPS pillar encompasses DC switchgear and distribution boards including high-speed circuit breaker panels (MBS), disconnect switch panels, load break switch panels, voltage limiting devices (VGUARD), measurement amplifiers (MIU, VM), voltage presence detection relays (VP), AC switchgear (MCS, ORS25), and protection/supervision systems (SEPCOS, KEOPS SCADA, SCMS, IOMS). The PCS pillar covers transformers, bus ducts, rectifiers (air/water cooled), inverters, reversible converters including BOOST technology for energy recovery, and energy storage systems. The company also provides engineering services including custom solutions, homologation/testing, and after-sales services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ESTRA: Traction Power Systems product line including DC switchgear, distribution boards, and related components
- STELLA
- MODBOX
- MODFRAME
Products and services
- SPL Pantograph Current collector for tramways and Light Rail Vehicles (LRV) with wide working range (600-3,880 mm above roof) and record flatness (400 mm above roof), featuring unique panhead suspension system for excellent dynamic behaviour.
- UR Series DC Circuit Breakers for Rail Vehicles DC high-speed circuit breakers (UR10-15, UR26) ensuring electrical safety of DC mass transit and railway vehicles, available in configurations for metro, LRV, tramways, EMUs, and DC trains.
- UR Series DC Circuit Breakers for Traction Substations (EN/IEC) DC high-speed circuit breakers (UR26-80S IEC) for electrical safety of equipment powering overhead lines and third rails of DC mass transit and railway systems per EN/IEC standards.
- UR Series DC Circuit Breakers for Traction Substations (IEEE) DC high-speed circuit breakers (UR26-80S IEEE) compliant with IEEE standards for DC traction power substation applications.
- UR Series DC Circuit Breakers for Other Industries DC high-speed circuit breakers (UR26-80I) for electrical safety in energy-intensive industries, renewable energy production, storage systems, DC drives for steel/paper plants, mining, and marine applications.
- MACS AC Vacuum Circuit Breaker Multifunctional AC circuit breakers for railway vehicles with market-largest range of configurations, including unique short-circuit detection and self-tripping function, and optional Point-on-Wave synchronous switching.
- BVAC AC Circuit Breaker AC circuit breaker for railway vehicles with electro-pneumatic closing, suitable for 15 kV and 25 kV applications.
- Surge Arresters (SA1/SA2) Metal oxide surge arresters for AC and DC railway vehicles protecting from lightning and switching overvoltages, with DC applications up to 3 kVDC.
- AC MODFRAME Integrated outdoor frame solution for AC and AC/DC Electrical Multiple Units (EMU), integrating high-voltage roof components including AC circuit breaker, earthing device, voltage detection, sensors, disconnector, surge arresters on a single frame.
- AC & DC MODBOX Compact metal enclosure integrating AC/DC circuit breakers with surge arresters, current/voltage measurements, earthing switch, line disconnectors, and charging contactors for rail vehicles running on 1.5 kVDC, 3 kVDC, 15 kVAC, and 25 kVAC networks.
- BMS Contactors Power contactor solutions (BMS series) for power converters, rail vehicles, traction inverters, PMSM motors, e-buses/trucks, marine vessels, DC traction substations, energy storage, and EV fast charging stations.
- SEC Contactors Power contactors for railway and industrial applications with configurations for line contactors and converter switches.
- HS Contactors High-specification power contactors for demanding railway applications.
- RS Roof Disconnectors Roof-mounted disconnectors for railway vehicles with wide range of configurations including pantograph disconnectors with/without earthing, AC/DC traction selection for multisystem vehicles, and roof line disconnectors.
- XMS Indoor Disconnectors High-voltage modular indoor disconnectors for rail vehicles and industrial applications, configurable as single-pole pantograph disconnectors, traction circuit reconfiguration, and motor disconnectors.
- BW Indoor Disconnectors Multipole indoor disconnectors with modular linear design for selecting/changing traction or auxiliary circuit configurations.
- SW Disconnectors for Fixed Installation Off-load disconnectors for safe isolation of equipment powering overhead lines and third rails of DC mass transit and railway lines.
- BSV/SLS Pantograph Interlocking Switches Safety devices for pneumatic-operated pantographs that keep maintenance technicians safe by interrupting air supply and releasing pressure before work on high-voltage equipment.
- BTE Earthing Switches Earthing devices for high-voltage circuits in railway industry, including BTE15-25.04 for AC vehicles and BTE03.04 for DC vehicles, available as standalone or integrated into MODBOX enclosures.
- KM-DL Key Multipliers & Door Locks Manual interlocking devices for rail vehicle maintenance technicians to safely work on high-voltage equipment after earthing devices are in safe position.
- TMS AC Voltage & Current Sensors Traction Measurement System providing AC voltage and current measurement signals with accuracy class 0.5R, suitable for energy measurement, traction control, and vehicle protection; complies with EN50463 standard.
- DC Voltage & Current Sensors DC voltage and current sensors integrated with MODBOX enclosures, built on Hall effect, shunt-type measurement, and voltage divider technologies for voltage detection, energy measurement, and vehicle protection.
- GB-G Wheel Flange Lubricator On-board wheel flange lubricator using double pipe system to spray lubricant on wheel flanges, reducing rail/wheel friction, noise, and wear.
- Customised Solutions Custom-engineered electrical protection, switching, and measurement solutions for railway, renewable energy, and energy-intensive industries.
- Homologations & Testing Services In-house testing services including temperature-rise testing, dielectric/partial discharge measurements, electrical/mechanical endurance tests, short-circuit tests, vibration/shock tests, and functional/climate tests with ISO 17025-accredited labs.
- MBS High-Speed Circuit Breaker Panels Heavy-duty high-speed circuit breaker panels (ESTRA-MBS) for DC traction substations, available in EN/IEC and IEEE/ANSI standards, type-tested against internal arcs.
- ESTRA-PADS Disconnect Switch Panels Disconnect switch panels for indoor and outdoor DC traction substation installations, covering disconnector cubicle needs.
- ESTRA-PALB Load Break Switch Panels Load break switch panels for indoor and outdoor/wayside installations with over-area and intersection load-break switches.
- VGUARD Voltage Limiting Devices Voltage limiting devices (ESTRA-VGUARD) for railway electrical systems, protecting against dangerous touch voltages by short-circuiting between negative and earth potentials.
- MIU10 Isolated Amplifiers for Current Measurement ESTRA-MIU10 amplifiers measuring high DC currents in power distribution systems with high-voltage isolation ensuring electrical safety of people and property.
- VM10/VM12 Isolated Amplifiers for Voltage Measurement ESTRA-VM amplifiers measuring high DC voltages up to 3,600V directly connected to high voltage circuits for power distribution systems.
- VP20 Isolated Relays for Voltage Presence Detection ESTRA-VP20 relays detecting DC voltages in power distribution systems with high-voltage isolation for electrical safety of people and property.
- MCS Air Insulated Metal Clad Switchgear Air insulated metal clad switchgear for feeding overhead lines, available in single-phase (15kV/16.7Hz) and single/two-phase (27.5kV/50Hz) configurations.
- ORS25 Outdoor Railway Vacuum Circuit Breaker Outdoor railway vacuum circuit breakers for single/two-phase applications at 25 kVAC, designed for conventional commuter trains, main line railway, high-speed rail, and very high-speed trains.
- SEPCOS Control & Protection Relays Control and protection relays (STELLA-SEPCOS) for DC panels and contact lines, featuring modular design, programmable logic controller, and communications via IEC61850, IEC60870-5-104, DNP3, Modbus TCP, Profinet protocols.
- SEPCOS-PRISM Control & Protection Relays Advanced version of SEPCOS protection relays with enhanced capabilities for DC traction equipment protection and control.
- KEOPS Control Command & Local SCADA STELLA-KEOPS command, control, and monitoring devices providing substation overview with touch screen interface, supporting IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, DNP3, Modbus TCP, Profinet protocols.
- SCMS Stray Current Monitoring Systems STELLA-SCMS for monitoring stray currents and preventing corrosion damage, compliant with EN 50122-2:2011, with analysis, display, signaling, and logging capabilities.
- IOMS Intelligent Operation & Maintenance Systems STELLA-IOMS SaaS platform for collecting traction power substation data to optimize customer operations and maintenance activities with intelligent monitoring and predictive maintenance.
- Transformers Power transformers for power conversion systems in railway and industrial applications.
- AC/DC Bus Ducts Bus ducts for AC and DC power distribution in railway traction power systems.
- Air Cooled Rectifiers Air cooled rectifier systems for DC power conversion in traction applications.
- Water Cooled Converters Water cooled converter systems for high-power DC traction applications.
- Inverters Power inverters for DC to AC conversion in railway traction and industrial applications.
- Reversible Controlled Converters Reversible power converters enabling bidirectional energy flow for regenerative braking energy recovery.
- Reversible Group BOOST Converters Reversible converters that maintain high power factor, compensate voltage drops during train acceleration, and recover braking energy for reuse.
- Automatic Assured Receptivity Units (AARU) Automatic assured receptivity units for managing power flow and ensuring proper energy transfer in traction systems.
- Energy Storage Systems Energy storage solutions integrated with power conversion systems for railway and industrial applications.
- Electrical Houses (E-Houses) Pre-engineered electrical buildings housing traction power substations equipment.
Quantifiable outcome
- MBS high-speed circuit breaker panels reached 20,000 cycles of operation without any impact on reliability, equivalent to 50 years of service operation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sécheron
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sécheron technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Sécheron partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- HaslerRail AGcoreHaslerRail AG is part of the Sécheron Hasler Group. Together they develop safety-critical on-board electronics for rail transportation. HaslerRail provides energy metering solutions that are compatible with Sécheron TMS sensors for EN 50463/IEC 62888 compliance.
- Systems Automation and Management (SAM)minorLocal South African partner for Africa Rail exhibitions. SAM represents Sécheron in the African market, providing local expertise and presence for railway solutions.
- Sécheron Hasler IndiacoreIndia subsidiary as part of global localization strategy, strengthening domestic market support and serving as strategic hub for global markets.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Sécheron competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hitachi Rail: Rail systems integrator (formerly Ansaldo STS and Hitachi Rail STS) supplying rolling stock, traction systems, and rail electrification. Competes directly with Sécheron on traction substations and on-board electrical equipment.
- Mersen: Specialist in electrical protection and power conversion for rail, energy, and industrial markets with comparable product portfolio including fuses, cooling, DC components, and surge protection devices serving traction substations.
Broad incumbents
- ABB: Global industrial conglomerate offering switchgear, circuit breakers, traction power systems, and rail electrification solutions. Directly comparable product overlap (DC/AC breakers, substation equipment) but operates at vastly greater scale and portfolio breadth.
- Eaton: Diversified power management company with electrical components, circuit protection, and industrial control offerings that intersect with Sécheron's contactors, switchgear, and power conversion portfolio.
- Alstom: Global rail equipment and services provider across rolling stock, signaling, and infrastructure. Competes with Sécheron on traction power systems and integrated rail electrification, particularly for European and emerging-market tenders.
- Rockwell Automation: Industrial automation and control specialist whose protection relays, motor control, and industrial control offerings overlap with Sécheron's SEPCOS relay and STELLA control-command product lines.
- Hubbell: Manufacturer of electrical products for utility, industrial, and rail markets. Comparable in wiring devices, switchgear components, and ruggedized electrical connectors used in rail and industrial applications.
- Schneider Electric: Global specialist in energy management and automation with broad switchgear, protection relay, and substation portfolios. Overlaps with Sécheron in industrial electrical protection and rail-adjacent power distribution.
- Siemens Mobility: Rail-focused division of Siemens supplying rolling stock, traction substations, signaling, and rail electrification. Competes with Sécheron on circuit breakers, traction power, and integrated substation solutions, particularly in European tenders.
Emerging players
- TE Connectivity: Global connectivity and sensor company supplying connectors, relays, and sensors for rail, industrial, and energy applications. Overlaps with Sécheron's contactor, sensor, and rail electrical component portfolio, particularly at the component level.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sécheron social profiles
Digital presenceSécheron financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sécheron leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Sécheron subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Sécheron funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sécheron M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sécheron
What does Sécheron do?
Sécheron designs, manufactures, and supplies electrical and electronic equipment for railway, renewable energy, DC grid, and other industrial systems. Its portfolio includes DC and AC circuit breakers, pantographs, integrated high-voltage systems (MODBOX, MODFRAME), protection relays, traction power substations, power conversion systems (rectifiers, inverters, reversible converters), and engineering and after-sales services. The company serves rail operators, rolling stock manufacturers, and industrial customers worldwide.
Is Sécheron a public or private company?
Sécheron is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Sécheron founded?
Sécheron was founded in 1879. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Sécheron based?
Sécheron is headquartered in Satigny, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Sécheron make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Products are the primary driver. The others are traction Power Systems, power Conversion Systems, engineering Services and after-Sales Services.
Who are Sécheron's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hitachi Rail and Mersen. Broad incumbents are ABB, Eaton, Alstom, Rockwell Automation, Hubbell, Schneider Electric and Siemens Mobility. TE Connectivity is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sécheron have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sécheron.
What industry is Sécheron in?
Sécheron's product category is Railway electrical protection and power conversion equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADACAH, Circuit Breakers, Disconnectors, Earthing Switches & Switchgear Components, with a secondary code of IMAGAEAB, Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection). Its NAICS code is 335313 and its SIC code is 3620.