Intelligent switchgear helps in the smart management of power supply systems to enhance the latter’s efficiency, reliability and safety. What differentiates such switchgears from typical electric switchgear power systems is their excellent pattern recognition and prediction capabilities.
By Potshangbam July
Intelligent switchgears are quite a game changer in the electronics industry, as they are transforming the management of electrical systems. Essentially, they are changing the business models of energy utilities, benefiting both the power providers as well as the consumers. With digitisation as the next big driving force in the switchgear industry, the focus is now shifting from traditional switchgear to integrated solutions. The switchgears being installed today come with intelligent electronic devices coupled with smart communication capabilities. They can monitor operations and analyse events, providing real-time data and information. The possibility of fast data streaming and advanced data processing enables smart and intelligent maintenance of power systems. Most significantly, these switchgears can effectively control any abnormal developments or sudden breakdowns, thus helping to minimise energy losses and costs.
Why opt for intelligent switchgears?
Traditional switchgears provide very little data or information. As a result, there can be no advance analysis of a system’s health, making it difficult to diagnose any errors and malfunctions, or prevent system failures that could result in expensive downtime. These switchgears are also not capable of predicting the power requirements – information that could help manage electricity distribution in an efficient way. Besides, maintenance is done based on a time schedule, which may require a shutdown and affect smooth operations. Regular manual assistance is required for traditional switchgear maintenance, which adds to annual maintenance costs.
However, intelligent switchgears operate based on computer technology. Their USP is the possibility of two-way real-time communication. They are capable of measuring various parameters and transmitting the readings to energy utilities and management centres on a real-time basis. They allow the monitoring and configuration of systems from a remote control centre, which is perhaps their biggest advantage. They can perform the tasks assigned with ease, from this distant location. Intelligent systems are very quick to detect electric sparks that have the potential to cause fire hazards. In fact, they prevent most harmful situations —short circuits, overload, component failure, etc. Intelligent switchgears can predict the monthly power demand within a load network. They monitor systems and recognise when things are going wrong, sending alerts about a possible breakdown in advance during the transmission and distribution process. Such vigilant characteristics of intelligent switchgears reduce power losses to a great extent. Intelligent switchgears are easy to maintain, and since they help in smart energy management, they reduce power bills.
Designing intelligent switchgear
The design of typical switchgear power systems includes switches, fuses, circuit breakers, relays, etc, that help to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment. However, such systems are not responsive when any malfunctions or power outages occur. Now, intelligent switchgears can be pre-configured and pre-programmed, if powered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Such switchgears are very handy and reliable for data collection and analysis, providing comprehensive information to the operator and the maintenance team. They provide consumer insights too including their energy usage patterns, along with the detailed data and information available to the connected device or plant. This process makes it possible for users to manage their energy systems efficiently.
Besides, these smart switchgears are equipped with various advanced software that protect systems from failure. They are embedded with self-monitoring features and sensors that enhance the efficiency and safety of the equipment. These sensors can monitor and display data on temperature, current, high voltage, etc. Temperature and humidity sensors work by detecting changes that alter both moisture levels and air temperature. The sensors in the circuit breaker monitor the latter’s mechanical properties.
Converting an old electrical switchgear to a smart one
The best part about old switchgears is that they can be converted into smart variants by integrating digitised devices and systems. First, circuit breakers can be upgraded with power monitoring capabilities and communication technology to ensure safety in operation. Next, predictive detection sensors can be incorporated to avoid outages and the breakdown of components.
Temperature sensors are important to gauge the amount of heat energy in the system and to figure out the ‘aches and pains’ before these ruin the system.
Most professionals in the industry recommend upgrading existing equipment instead of replacing the parts because, apart from this process being complicated, replacement parts are very hard to be found and sometimes do not fit in properly. These parts are also expensive.
| Expert comment The ability of intelligent switchgears to take autonomous action or communicate any critical condition in the power distribution network makes these systems ‘intelligent’. This is  achieved by integrating state-of-art electronics with traditional electro-mechanical devices.Smart switchgears take protection, monitoring and control to the next level, leading to improved efficiency of the installation in which these are deployed. For instance, an intelligent circuit breaker can automatically initiate the shedding of non-priority loads in order to improve the overall availability and uptime of critical loads. Circuit breakers equipped with zone-selectivity can reduce the stress on electrical distribution equipment during short-circuit or ground-fault conditions, and raise pre-trip alarms. Intelligent switchgears can run self-diagnostics and also issue signals to various control and signalling systems in case a certain pre-defined condition is met. This opens up vast possibilities to optimise the system’s operating conditions and better utilise the equipment.In the present era, intelligence in switchgears also takes care of human errors. For example, smart panel meters today can accumulate the right energy consumption data even when the CT (current transformer) polarity is reversed, by mistake, due to human error. With the devices getting smarter and user interfaces becoming IoT enabled, intelligent switchgear is the next big trend. There is a need for centralised controls in smart cities, which will be enabled partly by intelligent switchgear. There may soon come a time when all switchgears will be connected to the IoT and made communication enabled. —Sameer Saxena, director-strategy marketing, Legrand India |
Types of intelligent switchgear
Intelligent switchgears are available in three categories —high voltage, medium voltage and low voltage. High voltage and low voltage are also referred to as high tension (HT) and low tension (LT) switchgears. High voltage switchgears are for large-capacity electrical equipment that require over 35,000V AC. They are primarily used in power sub-stations. Medium voltage switchgears (between 1,000V and 35,000V AC) suit all medium voltage applications. Electrical equipment that run on 1,000V AC or less are controlled by low voltage switchgears. These are suitable for communities, shopping malls, schools, supermarkets, sub-stations, industrial enterprises, etc.
Going forward
The adoption of intelligent switchgear is likely to increase soon. With the rising demand for uninterrupted and reliable electricity supply, intelligent switchgear will play a significant role in meeting this demand. Besides, extensive grid modernisation programmes and electrification drives by the Indian government will boost demand for intelligent switchgear across India in the coming years. The 100 Smart Cities programme will drive this segment further. These cities will be built with geographic information systems-based town planning, using advanced ICT technologies that will feature smart switchgear. There are various initiatives introduced by the Central government to modernise the infrastructure of the transmission and distribution systems in India. To support these initiatives, the programmes launched include Power for All, Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, the Integrated Power Development Scheme, and the Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. One of the positive effects of such programmes will be increased use of intelligent switchgear. And the integration of such switchgear will result in a significant drop in energy usage, hence lowering the impact on the environment. Also, industry players now look for more advanced features that come in packages that are compact, cost-effective and eco-friendly. All these factors are likely to boost the smart switchgear market.
