Improving Protection Applications for Modern Industrial Switchgear Systems

Abstract

Medium voltage (MV) switchgear must meet many different requirements due to the range of its applications. While it is often used in traditional utility distribution substations, it is also widely used in industrial power systems, large commercial facilities, university power systems, as well as for the interconnection of large distributed energy resources. This means that the switchgear design should be flexible in configuration with variable bus ratings. PAC systems (protection, automation, and control) must therefore be accurate over a wide range of currents and voltages, while at the same time providing safe and reliable operation, with minimum maintenance requirements.