Switchgear is a device that is mainly used to protect, control and switch electronic circuits and components. In simpler words, Switchgear is a combination of relays, fuses, isolators, circuit breakers, and electrical switches. The setting of such devices serves to interrupt current under the abnormal and normal operating situations. Every Switchgear component is always perfectly packed in a properly earthed metal container to avoid damage.
Switchgear nurtures the safety of transmission cables and even Switchgear itself. Furthermore, it protects the load from any outside or inside damage. The switches that are used in households make use of air as a mode of insulating medium. On the other hand, the circuit breakers are installed to protect the applications working on high magnitude voltages and currently use a vacuum, special gases, or oil as a mode of insulation.
Features of a Switchgear
The essential features of Switchgear are:
- Complete Reliability
Reliability is the essential feature of Switchgear. The safety and security of the entire power system depend on the Switchgear. Therefore, Switchgear is installed to the power system with the primary purpose of improving reliability. If any fault happens on the power system, Switchgear must operate to discriminate and then isolate the faulty section from the power system flawlessly and quickly.
- Certain Discrimination
Switchgear must know how to discriminate the faulty parts of the power system from the healthy parts. For example, in cases like a section of the power system gets cut off due to power overflow, the Switchgear should instantly isolate the faulty section from the healthy parts. In this process, it does not affect the operation of the healthy parts of the power system.
On the other hand, if the Switchgear cannot discriminate between faulty and healthy parts of the power system, the fault is more likely to spread and damage the whole power system. Therefore, Switchgear needs to discriminate faulty sections from the healthy parts.
- Quick Operation
The primary requirement of Switchgear is to respond quickly and fastly. It is a must for Switchgear to identify the faulty section and cut it off from the main system as soon as possible to avoid the fault spreading or damage to generators, transformers, and other parts of the system. If the Switchgear responds slowly, it is inefficient to detect the fault and dangerous to use. Therefore, such slow Switchgear is of no use at all.
- Provision for Manual Control
One of the essential features of Switchgear is the provision for manual control. In case the automatic control of the device fails, the operator must be able to control the Switchgear extensions manually.
- Provision for instruments
Provision for instruments is an essential feature of Switchgear. It may be required while operating the Switchgear manually. It shows how to connect the voltage transformers to the main switch unit.
- Components of a Switchgear
Switchgear uses mainly two types of components-control system components and power conducting components.
- Control System Components
The control system components of Switchgear involve potential transformers, control panels, relays or current transformers, and many more. Such components are used to control, protect and monitor the system and power conducting components.
- Power Conducting Components
The power conducting components of Switchgear involve lightning arrestors, fuses, circuit breakers, switches, insulators, and many more. Such components often interrupt the electric power flow throughout the circuit.
Wrapping-Up
One of the greatest advantages of Switchgear is that it can be operated automatically and manually. This would mean that the operator can operate and access the Switchgear manually under normal conditions and operate it automatically under abnormal conditions.
In any case of a mishap, the Switchgear automatically detects the fault. The faulty section is then detached from the power system. Therefore, it saves the power system from any severe damage. In addition, it ensures complete safety and proper energy utilization.
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