Switchgear in Unusual Environments: Application Guidelines for Assuring System Reliability

With an increased emphasis on reducing the size of installations, switchgear designers are faced with the diametrically opposed requirements of increasing shortcircuit withstand and continuous current ratings while reducing space for the air that provides both primary insulation and cooling for the energized parts. Using modern material science, compact integrated dielectric systems can be developed without compromising the essential features for achieving higher short-circuit withstand and continuous current ratings. IEEE standards define the usual service conditions for proper equipment installation and also offer application guidelines for these conditions. This article will discuss these guidelines and define the owners´ and manufacturers´ responsibilities to assure system reliability by examining a specific installation and issues experienced.