ABB has announced the acquisition of IPEC, a UK-based technology company with over 30 years of expertise in electrical diagnostics. The deal strengthens ABB’s capabilities in data center and industrial monitoring, particularly in predictive maintenance for critical electrical infrastructure. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, with financial terms undisclosed. IPEC specializes in detecting partial discharge—small electrical sparks that indicate early-stage insulation failure, the leading cause of equipment breakdowns, responsible for more than 80% of unexpected outages. Its advanced monitoring systems use AI and analytics to continuously track electrical assets, identifying potential issues before they lead to costly downtime, safety hazards, or operational disruptions. The company’s flagship platform can monitor up to 128 connection points simultaneously, supported by its proprietary DeCIFer algorithm that translates complex data into actionable insights. The acquisition expands ABB’s Electrification Service portfolio, enabling customers to transition from reactive repairs to proactive maintenance. This shift can reduce downtime by up to 90%, lower maintenance costs by as much as 85%, and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure by decades. Stuart Thompson, Division President of ABB Electrification Service, emphasized the strategic importance of the move. He highlighted the severe financial and safety consequences of unplanned outages across sectors like data centers, healthcare, utilities, and manufacturing. By integrating IPEC’s diagnostic intelligence, ABB aims to help industries operate more reliably, efficiently, and safely. IPEC, headquartered in Manchester, employs 70 people across offices in Oxford, Abu Dhabi, Sweden, Riyadh, and Texas. While originally focused on the UK utility market, the company has grown rapidly, with data centers now representing its largest and fastest-growing segment, especially in the United States. Dr. Colin Smith, Managing Director of IPEC, said joining ABB will allow the company to further develop its technology and scale its impact across more industries. He noted that decades of research in partial discharge analysis, combined with recent advances in AI and machine learning, have enabled IPEC to deliver predictive insights that empower smarter decision-making. ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, brings extensive engineering and digitalization expertise to the partnership. With over 140 years of history and more than 105,000 employees worldwide, ABB is committed to helping industries achieve higher performance, efficiency, and sustainability—what it calls “Engineered to Outrun.” IPEC Limited was founded in 1995 to bridge academic research and industrial application in power engineering. It has built long-term relationships with major utilities and industrial clients, ensuring its solutions remain aligned with real-world needs.