Smart switchgear solutions for T&D systems

The leading switchgear manufacturers are focusing on smart and sustainable products for making transmission and distribution systems efficient and safe in future..

Switchgears play a critical part in the power transmission and distribution (T&D) network by monitoring, regulating, protecting and isolating electrical equipment throughout the grid. Switchgear is commonly found throughout electric utility transmission and distribution systems as well as in medium to large-sized commercial or industrial facilities.

Critical for T&D system

Fluctuating power supply causes inefficient functioning of machinery and substantially damages its effectiveness. This is where switchgear steps in. According to Latish Babu, Director, Power & Grid Segment, Schneider Electric India, they enhance the safety and security of electrical appliances and people safety by interrupting the flow of current in circuits experiencing overload while maintaining the flow in other unaffected circuits so as to avoid any mishaps. They are made up of switches, fuses, circuit breakers and relays inside a metal enclosure. The use of switchgear helps in protecting against situations of overload, short circuit, insulation failure etc. “Power system protection is a bough of electrical power engineering and it is designed to continuously monitor the power system to ensure maximum continuity of electrical supply without damaging equipment,” says Latish.  

The right and appropriate technology to maintain and monitor our electrical networks with minimum down time and quick and reliable protections is what we refer in the current situation as electrical switchgear, according to Rajesh Kumar, Director – Marketing, Eaton Electrical Sector India. “There are upgradations in terms of compactness, high faults capacity, hybrid technologies, improved di-electric and smartness getting embedded on switchgears,” he adds.

Evolving trends 

It is pretty evident that there is a rising demand for uninterrupted and reliable electricity supply with the Indian government prioritising country-wide electrification drives through various schemes. Thus, there is a growing need to produce modern and intelligent switchgear that is capable of providing efficient, resilient and sustainable solutions. “The switchgear industry is making great strides towards a digital future. Traditional switchgear is not responsive during a power outage or any malfunction. The electrical transmission and distribution systems not only connect power stations and electricity consumers, but also, with their ‘meshed systems’, form a superregional backbone with reserves for reliable supply and for the compensation of load differences,” comments Latish.

However, he adds “intelligent switchgear built on IoT can be preconfigured and pre-programmed to ensure a smooth flow of data to better prepare for any unforeseen irregularities. Data is the key to the land of unknown opportunities. It is now easier to garner insights into the energy usage patterns of the consumers.”

Schneider Electric’s SM AirSeTTM switchgear marks a shift from the traditional usage of the greenhouse gas, SF6, to using pure air.“We at Schneider Electric believe that air is the best gas,” Latish says.

According to Rajesh, multiple advancements are underway in technology and most important is compactness and smartness on communication and data collection/monitoring. “Today, the options are limited. You have AIS that is very bulky and it also requires a lot of maintenance. The other option is GIS that is compact but with an inherent risk of leakage of the greenhouse SF6 gas,” he says. 

Rajesh highlights the solutions offered by Eaton in this regard, “Eaton has a unique product called solid insulated switchgear (SIS) named XIRIA, which is already present across world utilities in more than 100,000 units. This means that the entire current-carrying part of the switchgear is insulated with an Eatonpatented insulating compound that ensures that you can reduce the overall size of the switchgear amazingly. Also, one can achieve the same high level of breaking capacities and safety standards as with SF6 insulated RMUs. This switchgear is available now in 24 kV upto 1250A, 25KA- 3 sec (12 kV).”

Smart features 

The switchgear industry is fully embracing the digital wave to provide smart and integrated solutions for controlling the power supply. Latish elaborates on the modern features, “Backed up by computer technology, IoT and smart communication capabilities, intelligent switchgear offers seamless operation by ensuring maximum continuity of electricity. Transcending the limitations Smart of traditional switchgear, they provide a deluge of data and can predict any shortcomings in the system. Modern switchgear comes packed with features like arc flash mitigation, remote racking, higher circuit interruption capability, and intelligent relays with metering and communication capability. Switchgear modernisation translates to 30 percent in cost savings. The risks of arc flash can be reduced by switchgear that accommodates engineering controls like Over-Current Protective Device.”

According to Rajesh, Eaton has launched intelligent switchgear in Asia which can also give partial discharge, temperature, arc presence, humidity, movements inside switchgear, motorised racking, hot spot sensors, displacement sensors, cameras to monitor various critical parameters around switchgear and room along with all IED for protections and measurements. All these data are used for predictive analysis and customer can maintain and monitor the switchgear remotely.

Intelligent products make efficient system 

Intelligent switchgear is a total game changer. They manage operations and analyse events, providing an ocean of data on a real-time basis to operators. According to Latish, what sets them apart from traditional switchgear is the ability to be managed remotely. This increases safety and boosts flexibility in the system. Backed up by the strength of IoT, intelligent switchgear can diagnose errors and malfunctions beforehand, preventing any system failure, and minimising energy losses and costs. 

These smart switchgears can anticipate monthly power demand within a load network. While traditional switchgear seeks manual assistance for maintenance, intelligent switchgear relies on advanced data processing for the maintenance of power systems thereby, cutting down the maintenance cost significantly. Due to smart energy management, they also reduce power bills. “These features help in bringing down the downtime costs on which organisations spend millions each year. Such incentives are encouraging organisations to embrace modernisation and upgrade their traditional, ageing switchgear,” says Latish.

Rajesh points out,“If you are planning to purchase new switchgear but are not ready to take advantage of intelligent solutions, networked infrastructure, Industrial IoT and digital platforms, you can still make your new switchgear future-ready by including IEDs connected to a network switch. When you’re ready to join the digitisation journey (Industry 4.0), you can simply connect the switch to an intelligent power management platform via your industrial network.”

On a sustainable objective

Future cities will require smart grids to efficiently manage power distribution that is becoming increasingly dynamic with the advancements of decentralised energy and smart, sustainable devices. Engineers, consultants, and asset managers must now consider the environmental impact of every part of their power network. When considering medium-voltage units, the switching and how insulation is done are both critical factors.   

Rajesh elaborates, “The Eaton XIRIA family of medium voltage switchgear is designed and manufactured to meet the demands of smart, sustainable electric systems and for customers who care about the circular economy. The unique design that eliminates SF6 gas for both switching and insulation provides multiple benefits for customers. Not only does such equipment have the lowest total cost of ownership, but the technology enables switching up to 10,000 times, the maintenance is greatly reduced, and the equipment can adapt to new, smart grids.”

Keeping the environmental factors in mind, Schneider Electric has launched its new range of SF6-free, SM AirSeTTM switchgear. This range comprises modular air insulated switchgear to deliver enhanced sustainability, efficiency, and safety. “Schneider Electric fully supports the willingness and farsightedness of its partners to take bold steps into a sustainable future. We offer safe SF6 removal and disposal services to our partners with proper certifications. The next step is to break away from the ‘rip and replace’ attitude. We emphasise providing retrofit solutions by upgrading the existing system with green-compliant components. Moving beyond the ‘take, make, dispose’ model, we install components that meet green premium standards to support durability, upgradeability, and recyclability. This, in a nutshell, is Schneider Electric’s three-pronged sustainability approach from the perspective of switchgear,” Latish concludes on a sustainability note.

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“The switchgear industry is making great strides towards a digital future.” – Latish Babu, Director, Power & Grid Segment, Schneider Electric India 

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“Compactness, high faults capacity, hybrid technologies, improved di-electric and smartness are getting embedded on switchgears.” – Rajesh Kumar, Director – Marketing, Eaton Electrical Sector India