Switchgears are crucial to ensure the smooth operation of electrical systems. Switchgear comprises parts such as circuit breakers, isolators and fuses that remain connected to the circuit. The switchgear's unique feature is that they only function during an abnormality and are always inoperative during a regular functional routine.
Switchgear with a capacity of less than 1 kV is called a Low Voltage (LV) switchgear. It is used to protect low voltage systems usually present in households and smaller industries. LV switchgear has fuses, circuit breakers, overload relays, changeover switches, and disconnectors.
Protection of Electrical Systems by Low Voltage Switchgears
Low voltage electrical systems use LV switchgear to measure, regulate and control essential aspects like voltage currents and protect the system from damages. So, the function of an LV switchgear is as follows:
Isolation
An LV switchgear supplies power to one part of the system while providing no power to a few other parts. This helps advance work in the isolated areas while the other parts that receive energy continue to function normally.
Protection
An LV switchgear helps in providing thermal and mechanical safety in an electrical system. It also protects appliances from voltage surges and over-current.
System Modification Through Switching
LV Switchgear helps in modifying the power system in on-load condition. It allows modification like emergency switching, maintenance operations, and control.
Components of an LV Switchgear
The critical components of an LV switchgear are:
LV Circuit Breaker
These are devices that make and break the circuit. LV circuit breakers are used in systems with less than 600V.
Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)
ELCB helps identify voltage leaks in appliances and protects the user from receiving an electric shock. It also detects stray voltages on the appliance's casing and body and disrupts power supply to the appliance in case of a voltage surge.
Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)
MCBs are the latest replacement to fuses. They remove power from the electric circuit to which it is connected whenever there is an overload or a short circuit condition.
Moulded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB)
An MCCB functions just like an MCB. However, MCCB can be used in electrical systems that have both high and low breaking capacity.
An RCCB disrupts the circuit whenever there is an unbalanced current in the conductors or if there is a chance of an electric shock. It also detects current leakage and trips the circuit in such circumstances.
Changeover Switches
These are switch devices that help changeover of power connection during utility grid failures. It facilitates smooth power supply by providing uninterrupted power to the circuits.
Overload Relay
An overload relay helps monitor the amount of current flow in an electric circuit. It protects the different parts of a circuit from extreme heat during overload situations.
Disconnectors
Electrical disconnectors are also known as isolators. They help in breaking the circuit but only during an offload situation. Isolators help disconnect the faulty areas in a circuit and isolate them so that they can be repaired.
As understood from the above discussion, LV switchgear is crucial to boosting an electric system's functioning and efficiency. Hence, one should always go for professional-grade LV switchgear and its related components. Schneider Electric produces high-quality switch socket, circuit breakers, ups battery, switchgear and disconnectors that are widely used in households as well as in industrial setups. Their products are compliant to the safety standards of the industry, and hence they have a very long life as well.
