A streamlined process that handles every electrical equipment is paramount in any modern power system. A lack of a defined structure can lead to various mishaps and leave the connected equipment vulnerable to issues like power overloads and short circuits.
Switchgear is an apparatus leveraged for controlling, switching, and protecting all electrical circuits. It is a generic term that includes an extensive range of devices such as circuit breakers, off-load isolators, fuses, contactors, and more. They are an absolute necessity in industries where electrical faults are a common occurrence. This article focuses on the uses, benefits, and types of electrical switchgears to help you make an informed purchase decision for your enterprise.
The Uses of Electrical Switchgears
– Switchgear is used to protect connected equipment from current faults and short circuits
– It isolates the electrical circuits from the power supply
– It enhances the availability of the entire power system by enabling more than one source to feed power to a load.
– It can assess and automatically open or close the electrical circuits depending on whether the flow is normal or abnormal
– Switchgears are highly effective in situations of a power fault. It automatically diagnoses and separates the faulty part from the circuit to prevent any form of damage.
Benefits of Switchgears
– Swift operation: A switchgear quickly detects any type of fault in the power system to ensure zero damage to the connected equipment.
– Effective separation: A switchgear is proficient in detecting the faulty section in the power system and separates it from the section that is functioning seamlessly.
– Reliable: Switchgear is a reliable piece of protective equipment vital for modern power systems with a complex array of interconnected systems.
– Human control: Despite being an automatic component, switchgears also have the provision of manual control that can be used in emergency situations.
The Types of Switchgears
There are three types of switchgears available in the market: low, medium, and high voltage switchgear. Here is a detailed look at its types.
– Low voltage switchgear (LV): These are used for low voltage applications with 1500V DC and 1000V AC ratings. LV switchgears are deployed in low voltage devices like miniature circuit breakers, residual circuit breakers, earth leakage C/Bs, off-load isolators, and moulded case circuit breakers.
– Medium voltage switchgear (MV): The switchgears used for medium voltage applications with a rating of 3.3kV to 33kV. It is used to distribute power to a variety of connected electrical networks. These comprise substation electrical equipment such as oil circuit breakers, gas-insulated switchgear, air circuit breakers, and more.
– High voltage switchgear (HV): These are designed for power systems that deal with voltage above 36 kV. Circuit breakers are one of the primary components of an HV switchgear. They are absolutely essential for the smooth functioning of connected equipment as the current rating is very high.
An Investment Decision
Quality switchgears are nothing short of an investment. A good purchase can offer effective protection to your entire electrical system and ensure the safety and durability of all connected equipment. Before moving ahead with a purchase decision, we would recommend you do thorough research on the brand that offers the finest quality switchgears. The best product will protect, isolate, and regulate a power system with the help of several control boxes that are present in a metal enclosure.
Connect with a reputed brand, and their professionals will guide you through the entire process. They will understand your need and suggest a product that would align perfectly with your infrastructure.
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