Switchgear Power Systems and Voltage Use

According to the McGraw-Hill dictionary of science and technology, switchgear is the aggregate of switching devices or transforming station or for electric motor control. Switchgear power systems therefore, are electrical switching devices that can control, measure, regulate and protect any power equipment. They act as switching and interrupting devices when assembled with various inter-connections, control, regulating materials and protective devices as they transmit electrical energy to the systems customers. This equipment is important as ensures reliability of the electricity supply.

There are switchgear power systems for housing and those for operating motors and other electrical machines. The difference between the two power system gears is the voltage use. The high voltage switchgears are used for motors and other electrical appliances that require high amount of electrical power supply while for housing low voltage switchgears are applicable but even the high voltage can be used. Switchgears are always located in power transformers. There is a side for low voltage switchgears and for high voltage switchgears in the transformer. The ones on low voltage side may be directed to housing with medium voltage circuit breakers while those with high voltage may be located with a transformer for industrial applications.

For housing, the switchgear may be located indoors or outdoors depending on the voltage content. The high voltage ones will be mounted outdoors while the switchgears for low voltage may be enclosed in the building. There are different types of switchgear that can be used to support home /house power supply. The gas-insulated switchgear is a good example. Often used for level transmission voltage it saves space and efficient in housing, expensive though. Oil insulated switchgear can be an option but this will come with oil spillage which is hazardous and therefore in effective.

You might be wondering what the main function of switchgear power systems may be. Well, they have three basic functions related to electricity and electrical supply. They offer protection to anything that uses or is exposed to electrical power. They also function for electrical isolation to the circuits and the energized parts and to the persons involved in maintenance and repairs of power equipment and lastly they control power flow in any system by emergency switching, emergency stopping or functional switching.

Switchgears can be operated in two different ways. By either, a remote control or manual hand -free operation method. The method of operation depends on the type of switchgear at disposal. For the simple low voltage switchgear power systems manual hand-free operation is applicable provided the safety of the gear is assured. For the high voltage gears, remote control is advisable if you are not an expert because of their complex nature. However, other methods of operating switchgears exist and you must get well conversant with them.

Because these gadgets are used almost everywhere their safety and maintenance of the switchgear power systems should be paramount to any other operation. Either you can use trapped key interlocking or for indoor switchgears type testing internal arc containment is a good idea. Ensure frequent inspection and monitor of the switchgear to keep it as safe as possible to ensure efficient function and long life.