Lead times for new orders across the U.S. market. Sourcing and method are detailed below.
Equipment
Current lead time
Trend
Power / substation transformer
128 weeks
↑ Elevating
Distribution / pad-mount transformer
30 weeks
↑ Elevating
Medium-voltage switchgear
44 weeks
↑ Elevating
Low-voltage switchgear
54 weeks
→ Stable
Generator step-up (GSU) transformer
144 weeks
↑ Elevating
Switchboards
32–41 weeks
→ Stable
Panelboards
15–23 weeks
→ Stable
Busduct / busway
27 weeks
→ Stable
Circuit breakers (commodity)
In stock
→ Stable
Order books: the leading indicator
Where supply is heading. A book-to-bill above 1.0 means orders are outpacing shipments, so the queue is still growing. Expand a row for its trailing trend.
Backlog $1.8B (MV/LV switchgear) · book-to-bill 1.7 · as of 2026-05-04 · “data center order with a value exceeding $400 million” · source
ABB1.44$11.5BElectrification
Backlog $11.5B (Electrification) · book-to-bill 1.44 · as of Q1 2026 · “switchgear, breakers, electrification” · source
Siemens1.27€22BSmart Infrastructure
Backlog €22B (Smart Infrastructure) · book-to-bill 1.27 · as of Q2 FY2026 · “switchgear, switchboards, busway” · source
Eaton1.2+48% YoYElectrical
Backlog +48% YoY (Electrical) · book-to-bill 1.2 · as of 2026-05-05 · “data center momentum” · source
nVent——$2.6B
Tracking started. The trend line fills in as new quarters are captured.
Backlog $2.6B · book-to-bill not disclosed · as of 2026-05-01 · “data center growth in both the gray and white space” · source
Schneider Electric——€21.3BEnergy Mgmt
Tracking started. The trend line fills in as new quarters are captured.
Backlog €21.3B (Energy Mgmt) · book-to-bill not disclosed · as of FY2025 · “Square D parent; backlog +21% YoY” · source
Hitachi Energy——$57.9B
Tracking started. The trend line fills in as new quarters are captured.
Backlog $57.9B · book-to-bill not disclosed · as of FY2025 · “large power transformers, HV switchgear; backlog +33% YoY” · source
Hammond Power Solutions——+94.6% YoY
Tracking started. The trend line fills in as new quarters are captured.
Backlog +94.6% YoY · book-to-bill not disclosed · as of Q1 2026 · “dry-type & distribution transformers” · source
Macro pulse
The ISM Supplier Deliveries Index is the fastest public read on delivery pressure across the economy. It is inverted: above 50 means deliveries are slowing.
ISM Supplier Deliveries60.6above 50 = slower
ISM Manufacturing Supplier Deliveries Index · latest 60.6 (2026-05-01) · trailing 12 months · readings above 50 mean deliveries are slowing.
Manufacturer investor relations (foreign filers, not on EDGAR): Schneider Electric, ABB, Siemens, Siemens Energy, Hitachi Energy, Hammond Power Solutions. Order backlog and book-to-bill from each company’s latest published results; segment book-to-bill is orders ÷ revenue where a company publishes only a group ratio.
Distributor inventory: public stock availability for commodity breakers and panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long are electrical equipment lead times in 2026?
They vary widely by type. Power transformers run about 128 weeks, medium-voltage switchgear about 44 weeks, low-voltage switchgear about 54 weeks, and switchboards 32 to 41 weeks, while commodity items like standard circuit breakers are largely in stock.
Which electrical equipment has the longest lead time?
Large power and generator step-up (GSU) transformers, at roughly 128 to 144 weeks, with the largest high-voltage units reaching up to four years.
Are electrical equipment lead times improving in 2026?
Not meaningfully for engineered gear. Manufacturer order books still show book-to-bill above 1.0 (Eaton 1.2, GE Vernova about 2.5), and the ISM Supplier Deliveries Index at 60.6 signals deliveries are still getting slower.
Why are electrical equipment lead times so long?
Demand from data centers, grid modernization, and electrification outpaced a manufacturing base that shrank about 10 percent since 2020. Engineered, made-to-order gear has no slack, while commodity items remain widely available.
How long are switchgear lead times in 2026?
Medium-voltage switchgear runs about 44 weeks per industry surveys; low-voltage switchgear is about 54 weeks from Siemens' published schedule, with switchboards at 32 to 41 weeks. Data-center demand is the main driver, and all remain well above pre-2020 norms.
What is the difference between medium- and low-voltage switchgear lead times?
Medium-voltage (MV) switchgear averages roughly 44 weeks; low-voltage (LV) switchgear is currently about 54 weeks. MV is the larger, more engineered assembly, but both are made-to-order and sit far above their pre-pandemic norms.
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