Control and regulation systems for small-scale power plants, emergency power controls and remote-control technology for over 40 years
Kobel Elektrotechnik AG
CH-3416 Affoltern im EmmentalNew on Amplifa
About Kobel Elektrotechnik
Kobel Elektrotechnik AG, based in Affoltern im Emmental, has been active in the field of small-scale power plants for more than 40 years. The company develops and builds control and regulation systems for power generation from hydropower – from a simple grid-parallel switchgear assembly for a water wheel to a complex complete solution with microprocessor control, PC-based process visualisation and a remote-control supervisory system. The manufacturing and delivery program includes turbine controls for all turbine types, switchgear assemblies for synchronous and asynchronous generators, emergency power and power-outage controls for diesel generator sets, controllers for speed, water level, load and voltage, as well as monitoring devices, fault reporting systems and telealarm devices. In addition, Kobel offers services such as the annual appliance inspection according to DIN VDE 701/702, the modernisation of voltage regulators (including with digital DEIF controllers), remote monitoring, project planning, commissioning and repairs. Customers include municipalities, power utilities, turbine manufacturers, industry, sawmills and alpine cooperatives; the performance record comprises more than 1,000 power plant installations, and Kobel products are in use in more than 70 countries.
- Site
- Affoltern im Emmental, Switzerland
- Processes
- Grid-parallel switchgear assemblies, synchronous, Grid-parallel switchgear assemblies, asynchronous, Island-mode switchgear assemblies, Grid-parallel switchgear assemblies for diesel generator sets, Emergency power controls for diesel generator sets, Power-outage controls for diesel generator sets, Synchronising and paralleling devices, Start-up ramps and speed controllers for turbines
- Materials
- PLC Controls with HMI, Digital Voltage Regulators (DEIF), Electronics Module Controls, Voltage Monitoring Devices
- Certificates
- Appliance testing according to DIN VDE 701/702 / SNR 462638
- Industries
- Power utilities, Municipalities, Drinking water supply, Industry, Data centres, Hospitals
- 01
Engineering and project planning
- 02
Manufacturing of the control and regulation systems
- 03
Assembly and wiring
- 04
On-site commissioning
- 05
Remote monitoring, service and appliance testing
Electronics & Control Technology
PLC Controls with HMI
Freely programmable microprocessor controls, including Siemens SIMATIC HMI with PROFINET connection, for the automatic operation of generator, turbine and auxiliary systems.
Digital Voltage Regulators (DEIF)
Used when replacing existing voltage regulation systems on synchronous generators.
Electronics Module Controls
Modular in-house electronics with potential-free and analogue signals for power plant control systems.
Voltage Monitoring Devices
In-house plug-in devices for monitoring voltage during parallel operation of power generation systems with the public grid.
Locations
Affoltern im Emmental
CHHeadquarters, manufacturing, engineering and service
- Materials
- Control and regulation electronics, switchgear assemblies
- SAFETYTEST 1RT V2 test device for electrical equipment up to 4 kW
- DEIF digital voltage regulators
- Siemens SIMATIC HMI (project engineering)
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Grid-parallel switchgear assemblies, synchronousAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Grid-parallel switchgear assemblies, asynchronousAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Island-mode switchgear assembliesAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Grid-parallel switchgear assemblies for diesel generator setsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Emergency power controls for diesel generator setsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Power-outage controls for diesel generator setsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Synchronising and paralleling devicesAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Start-up ramps and speed controllers for turbinesEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Water level controllersEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Load controllersEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Voltage regulatorsEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Screen/rack control systemsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Monitoring devices and fault reporting systemsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Remote-control systems and telealarm devicesAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Freely programmable microprocessor controlsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Process visualisation and plant control systems with PCAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Remote monitoring of installationsAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | SAFETYTEST SAFETYTEST 1RT V2 | – | – | – | Affoltern i/E |
| PLC control with HMI | Siemens SIMATIC HMI | – | – | 2026 | TWKW Tuf, Oberschan |
| Digital voltage regulator | DEIF | – | – | – | Affoltern i/E |
Additional services
Quality & Testing
Testing of electrical equipment is carried out according to DIN VDE 701/702 or the Swiss standard SNR 462638 using the SAFETYTEST 1RT V2 test device, including barcode recording and digital test reports. Power plant control systems are engineered, commissioned and can be continuously monitored via remote monitoring.
| Evidence | Affoltern im Emmental |
|---|---|
| Appliance testing according to DIN VDE 701/702 / SNR 462638 |
History
- ca. 1985
The Kobel company has been active in the field of small-scale power plants for over 40 years (exact year of founding not specified).
- 2025/2026
Reference lists show more than 1,000 installations, including drinking-water hydropower plants, systems above 300 kVA, diesel emergency power controls and fire brigade vehicles.