Socomec launches DIRIS DigiBOX for turnkey energy sub-metering

Socomec has unveiled the DIRIS DigiBOX, a modular, ready-to-use measurement and sub-metering enclosure designed for industrial and commercial facilities. The new solution allows facility managers to deploy the company's established DIRIS Digiware measurement technology directly adjacent to existing main low-voltage switchboards (MLVS). By utilizing a standalone, pre-wired enclosure, the system addresses the severe space constraints of retrofit projects, enabling comprehensive energy tracking and regulatory compliance without requiring complex modifications or prolonged downtime for active electrical panels.

Plug-and-play retrofit architecture
Deploying new metering equipment in legacy switchboards poses significant challenges regarding physical space and safe wiring. The DIRIS DigiBOX circumvents these limitations by grouping the measurement, connection, and communication components into an external, pre-configured housing. Utilizing plug-and-play connectivity, split-core current sensors, and auto-configuration functions, the system drastically reduces on-site installation time. The flexible and split-core current sensors can be installed around existing conductors without disconnecting the power, making the solution highly suitable for live industrial environments where maintaining operational continuity is critical.

Modular configurations and MID certification
Designed and manufactured in France, the DigiBOX platform relies on four primary base configurations (D-70, D-50, M-70, and M-50) that can be scaled using extension enclosures. The system supports a mix of both standard and MID-certified modules within the same installation, allowing operators to deploy highly accurate metering specifically for energy billing or tenant sub-metering. Depending on the model, the units offer integrated displays and embedded Webview software for local data visualization. With Ethernet and RS485 communication protocols, the hardware integrates seamlessly into broader Building Management Systems (BMS) or supervisory software, and it can be configured externally via USB or Ethernet without opening the enclosure door.

Additional Context: External metering in legacy infrastructure
This section details the technical specifications and competitive analysis not included in the original product announcement.

In existing low-voltage electrical distribution, retrofitting traditional solid-core current transformers (CTs) requires completely de-energizing the main switchboard and physically disconnecting heavy copper busbars or thick cables—a process that incurs costly facility downtime. External enclosures combined with split-core CTs or flexible Rogowski coils eliminate this mechanical bottleneck. The sensors simply clip around the live conductors, while the vulnerable measurement electronics are safely housed in the external IP-rated DigiBOX rather than crammed into the thermally congested and electromagnetically noisy environment of an older MLVS. This architectural shift is particularly vital for European facility managers racing to comply with stringent energy efficiency mandates, such as the French Tertiary Eco-Energy Decree and the European BACS (Building Automation and Control Systems) directive, which mandate granular sub-metering for building optimization.

Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.

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