Medium voltage switchgear

[Micheal Alexander]

What is a switchgear and what purpose does it serve in an industrial facility or plant? A switchgear is a combination of several electrical switching devices. The primary function of these devices is to switch, monitor, control, isolate, and offer protection to electrical circuits and related equipment. A variety of industrial products or equipment are integrated within the switchgear. They include switches, circuit breakers, contactors, fuses with switch units, and HRC fuses. All these devices or equipment are connected in a logical manner which ultimately creates switchgear. Switchgear has several applications in the industrial sector. It can be utilized to nullify downstream flaws, disconnect equipment from power supply, and ensure the completion of several industrial processes. Switchgear is directly related to the supply of power. Electrical Distribution Equipment

Like already mentioned, switchgear composes of several devices. Fuses, switches, circuit breakers, isolators, control panels, current and potential transformers, and relays are a few of such devices. Each device or equipment is designed to meet different purposes. For example, some devices are designed to enhance the efficiency of the switchgear in abnormal and normal environments. Some devices are designed to perform switching functions. Such devices do not possess the ability to sense faults. Switchgear is also responsible for the functioning of other equipment like switching generators, distributors, transmission lines, and other electrical equipment.

There are different types of switchgear, and one of them is MV Switchgear. MV stands for Medium Voltage Switchgear. This type of switchgear can facilitate electrical distribution, monitor and offer protection for switchgear ratings between 1kV and 75kV. As this is a medium-range voltage, the switchgear is called medium voltage switchgear. This voltage range consists of some common voltage ratings like 5 kV, 12 kV, 15 kV, 35 kV, and that’s what makes this switchgear a popular choice. Medium voltage switchgear panels and their associated components have a wide range of applications in both the commercial and industrial sectors. MV switchgear panels employ vacuum circuit breakers for circuit protection.

Medium voltage switchgear is of different types. One of them is the air-insulated switchgear. This has become a popular choice for many industrial facilities, and there are valid reasons for that. Air-insulated switchgear provides the highest degrees of safety and cost-effective solutions. This type of switchgear does not utilize gas insulation. Hence, air-insulated switchgear effectively provides a protective space for an industrial facility and is a boon to the environment as well. Medium voltage switchgear comes with a NEMA enclosure and can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes, and offers sturdy resistance against weather, dust, and corrosion.