Switchgear Definition:

Switchgear Definition status that,

The apparatus used for switching, controlling and protecting the electrical circuits and equipment is known as switchgear.

The switchgear equipment is essentially concerned with switching and interrupting currents either under normal or abnormal operating conditions. The tumbler switch with ordinary fuse is the simplest form of Switchgear Definition and is used to control and protect lights and other equipment in homes, offices etc. For circuits of higher rating, a high-rupturing capacity (H.R.C.) fuse in conjuction with a switch may serve the purpose of controlling and protecting the circuit. However, such a switchgear cannot be used profitably on high voltage system (3.3 kV) for two reasons. Firstly, when a fuse blows, if takes sometime to replace it and consequently there is interruption of service to the custom­ers. Secondly, the fuse cannot successfully interrupt large fault currents that result from the faults on high voltage system.

With the advancement of power system, lines and other equipments operate at high voltages and carry large currents. When a short circuit occurs on the system, heavy current flowing through the equipment may cause considerable damage. In order to interrupt such heavy fault currents, automatic circuit breakers (or simply circuit breakers) are used. A circuit breaker is a switchgear which can open or close an electrical circuit under both normal and abnormal conditions. Even in instances where a fuse is adequate, as regards to breaking capacity, a circuit breaker may be preferable. It is because a circuit breaker can close circuits, as well as break them without replacement and thus has wider range of use altogether than a fuse.

Features of Switchgear:

The essential features of switchgear are :

1.Complete reliability: With the continued trend of interconnection and the increasing capacity of generating stations, the need for a reliable switchgear has become of paramount impor­tance. This is not surprising because Switchgear Definition is added to the power system to improve the reliabil­y When fault occurs on any part of the power system, the switchgear must operate to isolate the faulty section from the remainder circuit.

2.Absolutely certain discrimination: When fault occurs on any section of the power system, the switchgear must be able to discriminate between the faulty section and the healthy section. It should isolate the faulty section from the system without affecting the healthy section. This will ensure continuity of supply.

3.Quick operation: When fault occurs on any part of the power system, the switchgear must operate quickly so that no damage is done to generators, transformers and other equipment by the short-circuit currents. If fault is not cleared by switchgear quickly, it is likely to spread into healthy parts, thus endangering complete shut down of the system.

4.Provision for manual control: A switchgear must have provision for manual control. In case the electrical (or electronics) control fails, the necessary operation can be carried out through manual control.

5.Provision for instruments: There must be provision for instruments which may be required. These may be in the form of ammeter or voltmeter on the unit itself or the necessary current and voltage transformers for connecting to the main switchboard or a separate instrument panel.