A switchgear is nothing but an equipment used to protect and control any type of electrical equipment. The switchgears usually consist of a set of electrical switches or fuses to isolate the electrical circuit, when required. These are mainly used to switch off equipment safely to upgrade them or to work with them or to repair any faults. These industrial switchgears play a vital role during the maintenance of different electrical components in distributing the load uniformly, which helps prevent any form of wide system failure. Moreover, the industrial switchgears are useful vastly in lessening the amount of circuit outrages during repair work or maintenance in power plants. By making easier to discover faults in the system, it can further prevent damage.

Types of Switchgears

Mainly, there are two types of switchgear necessary for various residential, commercial and industrial electrical connections. They are –

• Metal-Enclosed Switchgear – This equipment is usually placed indoors and is used for low and medium voltage applications. They need to be grounded in a proper manner, as they are used indoors.
   
• Metal Clad Switchgear – Generally placed outside the house in industrial and residential electrical connections.

Applications of switchgears

It’s important to know where these switchgears are generally used.

• Industrial power distribution
• Solar power generation
• Residential power distribution
• Power stations

Switchgears Suppliers

As per research by a market firm, this report lists the leading switchgear suppliers in their recent global low and medium switchgear market report from 2017-2021. This market research report also lists other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.

1) MOTION CONTROL PRODUCTS LTD

UK-based, Motion Control Products is a leading supplier for integrated motors with electronics, gearboxes, robots, motors and drives (brushless or brushed), motion control products and electric actuators, which are commonly found in automation applications. Some of the different types of switch gear products offered by Motion Control Products include –

• Planetary : RE Series and GNP  
• Strain Wave (Harmonic)
• Hollow shaft helical
• Right Angle Bevel
• Worm wheel

For more info, please check :
https://www.plantautomation-technology.com/suppliers/motion-control-products

2) SIEMENS

One of the largest engineering companies in Europe. Energy, infrastructure, automobile and industry are the major activities of this company. The company stands for engineering excellence, innovation and reliability. Siemens is one of the world’s biggest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, and a pioneer in infrastructure and energy solutions, as well as software and automation for industry. Apart from all this, Siemens also provides medical imaging equipment, clinical IT and laboratory diagnostics.

The products that the company manufacturers include :

• Steam turbines
• Remote Monitoring Systems (RMS)
• Switch boards
• High-voltage switchgear  (disconnectors, gas-insulated switchgear, circuit breakers)
• Turbo compressors

For more info, please check :
https://www.plantautomation-technology.com/suppliers/siemens-ag

3) PANASONIC ELECTRIC WORKS EUROPE AG

Components such as switches, solid state relays, and connectors are manufactured and distributed by Panasonic Electric Works Europe. A wide range of solutions for different business areas such as the factory and building automation, automotive industry and electric mobility, environmental management and renewable energies, are developed by the company, in close cooperation with European customers. Additionally, the product portfolio comprises –

• Electromechanical relays
• Servo drives
• Counters
• Laser markets
• Sensors
• Hour meter
• Timers
• Power tools
• Programmable controllers and other consumer products.

For more info, pl check :
https://www.plantautomation-technology.com/suppliers/panasonic-electric-works-europe-ag

4) BONDIOLI-PAVESI S.p.A

The first Italian company in the agricultural machinery sector, Bondioli & Pavesi is an industry leader in the power transmission sector. According to the logic of a large industrial group with various specialized production units, the company is constantly expanding its range of products and services, developing and organizing itself.

The products that the company manufacturers include :

• Electronic control units
• Directional valves
• Rigid coupling
• Geared motors
• Gear pumps
• Special couplers
• Special gear boxes

For more info, please check :
https://www.plantautomation-technology.com/suppliers/bondioli-pavesi-spa

5) ABB

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, ABB  is a multinational corporation , operating mainly in robotics and power and automation technology areas, including infrastructure, utilities, transport and other industries. ABB operates its business through various segments including power products, power systems, low voltage products, process automation, and discrete automation and motion. Some of the products offered by ABB are –

• Air-insulated switchgears
• Gas-insulated switchgears
• Motor control centers
• Railway switchgears
• Wind switchgears

6) GE

GE, a diversified structure, is one among the top financial service corporations in the world. The company’s products and services range from power generation, aircraft engines, oil and gas production equipment, business and consumer financing, medical imaging, renewable energy, household appliances to industrial products.

7) MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC

Mitsubishi Electric carries out manufacturing, development, and sales of electronic and electrical equipment for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. The company’s products are used in broad areas of applications that include consumer electronics, space development and satellite communications, information processing and communications, transportation, industrial technology, and building equipment. Few of its products include –

• Controllers
• Drive products
• Visualization
• Industrial robots
• Low and medium voltage power distribution products
• Power-monitoring products
• Processing and sewing machines

8) SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

Schneider Electric engages in the marketing and manufacture of a wide range of components and equipment that are used for energy management, electricity distribution and automation management. The company operates its business through various segments, including industry, infrastructure, buildings and partner, and IT segments. The products that the company manufacturers include –

• Low-voltage products and systems
• Building automation and control
• Medium voltage distribution and grid automation
• Critical power, cooling and racks
• Residential and small businesses
• Industrial automation and control
• Access to energy
• Solar energy and storage

Owing to the rapid development of the commercial and residential sector, the market for the switchgear companies is dominated by the low voltage switchgear segment and is expected to have the fastest growing CAGR in the next five years. Moreover, most of the renowned companies in the power grid sector are rapidly penetrating low voltage switchgear market, in order to empower their position via acquisition of existing service providers as well as strengthen their customer base.

Here are 11 Principles and Guidelines in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly:

• 1. Minimize number of components. Assembly costs are reduced. The final product is more reliable because there are fewer connections. Disassembly for maintenance and field service is easier. Reduced part count usually means automation is easier to implement. Work-in-process is reduced, and there are fewer inventory control problems. Fewer parts need to be purchased, which reduces ordering costs.
• 2. Use standard commercially available components. Design time and effort are reduced. Design of custom-engineered components is avoided. There are fewer part numbers. Inventory control is facilitated. Quantity discounts may be possible.
• 3. Use common parts across product lines. There is an opportunity to apply group technology. Implementation of manufacturing cells may be possible. Quantity discounts may be possible.
• 4. Design for ease of part fabrication. Net shape and near net shape processes may be feasible. Part geometry is simplified, and unnecessary features are avoided. Unnecessary surface finish requirements should be avoided; otherwise, additional processing may be needed.
• 5. Design parts with tolerances that are within process capability. Tolerances tighter than the process capability should be avoided; otherwise, additional processing or sortation will be required. Bilateral tolerances should be specified.
• 6. Design the product to be foolproof during assembly. Assembly should be unambiguous. Components should be designed so they can be assembled only one way. Special geometric features must sometimes be added to components to achieve foolproof assembly.
• 7. Minimize use of flexible components. Flexible components include parts made of rubber, belts, gaskets, cables, etc. Flexible components are generally more difficult to handle and assemble.
• 8. Design for ease of assembly. Part features such as chamfers and tapers should be designed on mating parts. Design the assembly using base parts to which other components are added. The assembly should be designed so that components are added from one direction, usually vertically. Threaded fasteners (screws, bolts, nuts) should be avoided where possible, especially when automated assembly is used; instead, fast assembly techniques such as snap fits and adhesive bonding should be employed. The number of distinct fasteners should be minimized.
• 9. Use modular design. Each subassembly should consist of five to fifteen parts. Maintenance and repair are facilitated. Automated and manual assembly are implemented more readily. Inventory requirements are reduced. Final assembly time is minimized.
• 10. Shape parts and products for ease of packaging. The product should be designed so that standard packaging cartons can be used, which are compatible with automated packaging equipment. Shipment to customer is facilitated. 11. Eliminate or reduce adjustment required. Adjustments are time-consuming in assembly. Designing adjustments into the product means more opportunities for out-of-adjustment conditions to arise.