Grid Pulse Newsletter June 2026 | ABB Electrification Business

Don't let lead times leave your grid exposed this storm season

NOAA is forecasting another above-average Atlantic hurricane season—and utilities across the Gulf Coast and Eastern Seaboard are racing to reinforce vulnerable feeders before peak storm activity arrives. But in today's supply chain environment, getting the right equipment in time has become as critical as specifying the right equipment in the first place.

ABB is delivering when it matters.
Our GridShield® and Elastimold® reclosers are shipping in 24 to 26 weeks-giving utilities a realistic path to deploy critical protection equipment before this storm season ends, not after.

Built for demanding applications.
With ratings up to 38 kV and ABB-manufactured vacuum interrupters, both product lines deliver reliable fault interruption through thousands of operations. Over 15 years of proven field performance stand behind every recloser we ship.

For distribution engineers managing storm hardening programs on tight timelines, that certainly changes everything.

Why are utilities turning to ABB reclosers for storm-season deployment?

•	GridShield® solid-dielectric reclosers eliminate oil and SF6 maintenance- critical when crews are focused on restoration, not routine upkeep
•	Elastimold® reclosers are 33% lighter than standard units-accelerating pole-mount installation when crews are racing to harden feeders before storm season
•	Embedded dual voltage sensing and high-impedance fault detection support advanced FLISR schemes and faster fault isolation
•	IEC 61850-native communications enable seamless integration with SCADA and distribution automation systems
•	Compact, lightweight designs simplify installation and accelerate deployment timelines

When severe weather hits, restoration speed depends on the protection equipment already in place. Utilities that can deploy reclosers now will be better positioned to isolate faults quickly, minimize customer minutes interrupted and restore service faster.

Your storm prep timeline shouldn't depend on uncertain delivery dates. It should depend on proven technology from a partner that delivers.

Contact your ABB representative to confirm current lead times and reserve inventory for your storm hardening program.

GridShield® Reclosers: solid-dielectric protection, delivered fast

When a fault occurs on a distribution feeder, the recloser is your first line of defense. GridShield® reclosers provide the fast, reliable protection utilities need—without the maintenance burden of oil-filled or SF6 alternatives.

Rated up to 38 kV, 1250A continuous, and 16 kA interrupting current, GridShield® reclosers offers the higher-capacity option when heavily loaded feeders or DER interconnection points demand it.

GridShield® reclosers are the smart choice for grid hardening

•	All electronics are located inside the LV control cabinet for easy and safe access—reducing maintenance costs with no bucket trucks needed
•	HCEP insulating material for reliability and performance in extreme weather conditions
•	Flexible controller options support advanced protection schemes including adaptive reclosing and fault location
•	Compact, site-ready construction minimizes installation time and grid restoration downtime

With lead times of 24–26 weeks, GridShield® reclosers are ready when you are—on your schedule, not the supply chain’s schedule. For utilities managing storm hardening, wildfire mitigation or routine infrastructure replacement programs, GridShield® reclosers delivers proven protection with the availability your timeline demands.

Request a GridShield® recloser specification sheet and lead time confirmation.

Elastimold® Reclosers: lightweight, fast-deploying overhead protection

When every week counts before storm season, installation speed matters as much as equipment performance. Elastimold® molded vacuum reclosers (MVRs) are engineered for overhead distribution—delivering the fault-clearing capability utilities need with a design that helps accelerate deployment.

Why Elastimold® MVRs are built for rapid storm hardening:

•	33% lighter than standard reclosers—reduces pole loading concerns and simplifies crane/truck requirements for faster installation
•	Solid-dielectric insulation uses field-proven EPDM and silicone rubber materials—eliminating oil maintenance when crews should be focused on restoration
•	Ratings up to 38 kV, 800A continuous, and 12.5 kA interrupting current—reliable fault clearing for distribution feeders
•	Modular design with single-phase pole rotation bracket (0° to 180°) for easier installation in constrained rights-of-way

Compatible with industry-leading controls for advanced protection schemes including adaptive reclosing and fault location.

With 24-26 week lead times, Elastimold® MVRs give utilities a realistic path to strengthen overhead feeders before storm season peaks.

When overhead protection matters most, Elastimold® delivers proven performance—on your timeline.
Download the Elastimold® MVR Specification Sheet

Q&A: Staying ahead of storm season with smart planning

We sat down with Priyanka Kolte – Product Marketing Specialist to discuss how utilities can navigate equipment planning for storm hardening programs.

What's your top advice for utilities planning storm hardening deployments right now?
Start earlier than you think you need to. The utilities having the most success are the ones treating equipment procurement as a 12-month planning cycle, not a reactive scramble. Know your lead times, build relationships with manufacturers who can commit to delivery dates and have contingency plans.

How is ABB positioned to support utilities on tight timelines?
We've made significant investments in our manufacturing and supply chain to keep recloser lead times in the 24-26 week range. That's not an accident- it's a deliberate focus because we know our utility customers are working against real deadlines, whether it's storm season, regulatory commitments or capital budget cycles.

Any advice on prioritizing which feeders to upgrade first?
Focus on feeders serving critical loads- hospitals, water treatment, emergency services-and those with historical outage frequency. The goal is maximum risk reduction per dollar invested. We work with utilities on feeder prioritization all the time; it's part of the value our partnership provides.

What role does real-time monitoring play in storm response?
Visibility is critical. Modern reclosers enable utilities to detect faults in real-time, isolate problems automatically to restore service faster-sometimes before customers even report outages. Investing in system digitalization and SCADA integration means your control center can see network status during active storms and make informed restoration decisions instantly.

GridShield® Reclosers

Explore solid-dielectric recloser solutions for overhead distribution protection.

Elastimold® Reclosers

Lightweight, smart, and flexible recloser solutions for overhead distribution applications.

IEEE T&D 2026 Recap

Couldn't make it to Chicago? See what ABB showcased at IEEE T&D 2026—from underground distribution to advanced grid automation.

Don't let lead times leave your grid exposed this storm season

GridShield® Reclosers: solid-dielectric protection, delivered fast

Elastimold® Reclosers: lightweight, fast-deploying overhead protection

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EXPERT CORNER

Q&A: Staying ahead of storm season with smart planning

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EVENTS & RESOURCES

GridShield® Reclosers

Elastimold® Reclosers

IEEE T&D 2026 Recap

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