Switchgear refers collectively to the various types of equipment used to transport and control the flow of electricity within an electrical system. A variety of components work together to support seamless electrical flow and to protect equipment from failure. The exact components included will depend on product specifications and the application it’s designed to support. However, most electrical switchgear assemblies share some key components.
Take a moment to learn about the components included in a comprehensive switchgear lineup along with their specific functions.
Control Panels
Control panels are central hubs for monitoring and controlling electrical equipment within the switchgear system. They typically house switches, indicators, meters and other control devices that allow operators to manage the operation of circuits, control the distribution of power and monitor the status of equipment.
Switching Devices
Switching devices control the flow of power in an electrical system and allow for safe maintenance and fault protection by cutting off electricity when needed.
Circuit Breakers
These devices protect electrical equipment from damage by interrupting the flow of electric current in a circuit during both normal operating conditions and under abnormal or fault conditions.
Isolators
Isolators are also called disconnect switches because they are used to physically disconnect a part of the electrical system or equipment for maintenance, repair or inspection purposes.
Measuring Devices
Sophisticated switchgear setups will also include real-time data collection devices, enabling operators to monitor the system's performance, diagnose faults and take appropriate actions to ensure the reliability and safety of the system.
Meters
All electrical switchgear should be equipped with meters to monitor energy consumption. These meters may track various metrics like active power, reactive power and apparent power.
Transducers
Transducers convert energy in an electric system and make it measurable. Current transducers measure the electric current flowing through a conductor, while voltage transducers measure the voltage between two points in an electrical circuit.
Temperature Sensors
Switchgear may also include sensors to monitor the temperature of critical components. Temperature monitoring helps prevent overheating and potential failures due to thermal stress.
Protection Devices
While safety weaves its way through all the elements of an electrical switchgear assembly, some devices are especially focused on ensuring safety and protecting the system.
Relays
Relays detect certain conditions in an electrical circuit, like an overcurrent or undervoltage, and flip a switch to either turn the circuit on or off, protecting electrical equipment.
Fuses
Fuses consist of a metal wire or strip that melts when subjected to excessive current, causing the circuit to open and interrupting the current flow. Fuses are commonly used as overcurrent protection devices in switchgear systems to safeguard against short circuits and overloads.
Lightning Arresters
When lightning-induced surges or transient voltage spikes occur, lightning arresters protect equipment from damage by providing a low-impedance path to divert excessive voltage surges to the ground.
Conductors
Conductors carry the electrical current through the system. These conductors can take various forms, such as busbars (flat, rectangular metal bars) and power cables. Conductors are made from materials that have low resistance to the flow of electric current, such as copper, brass or aluminum.
Learn More in the Complete Guide to Switchgear
When it comes to electrical switchgear, it isn’t just about having all the necessary components—it’s about having them work seamlessly together. That integration is part of what makes FLX-Power™ switchgear from PCX so beneficial. They arrive at the installation site ready for a surprisingly simple power-up: All the work of connecting components, ensuring standards are met and testing has already been done in our controlled factory environment.
Want to learn more about switchgear, including the functions it serves and the various types available? Check out The Complete Guide to Switchgear in our resource center!
Comments