Switchgear VS. Switchboard 101: What is the Difference?

Switchgear vs. Switchboard: What’s the Difference?

In the electrical industry, the terms switchgear and switchboard are often used to describe equipment involved in power distribution and circuit protection. While they share some similarities, they are fundamentally different in design, function, and application. For electrical contractors, engineers, and project owners, understanding these differences is essential when selecting equipment or communicating with industry peers.

With so many manufacturers offering switchgear solutions, knowing the distinctions between these systems is key to choosing the most appropriate and cost-effective option for your project.

1. Understanding Switchgear and Switchboards

Both switchgear and switchboards are critical to managing and distributing electrical power within buildings, industrial plants, and other infrastructure. They serve to protect circuits and isolate electrical faults, but they do so in different ways.

What is Switchgear?

Switchgear refers to a collection of electrical devices used to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment. It includes components such as circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and fuses. Switchgear assemblies may be open or enclosed and are designed for high reliability in both low-voltage and high-voltage applications.

Typical applications of switchgear include:

Controlling and isolating parts of the electrical system
Protecting systems against faults
Enabling safe maintenance by de-energizing sections

What is a Switchboard?

A switchboard is an assembly that contains switches, breakers, and protective devices used to distribute power within a building. It is usually wall-mounted or free-standing and provides centralized power distribution, especially in commercial and residential facilities.

Switchboards may include:

Circuit breakers
Fuses
Monitoring devices such as meters and relays

2. Key Differences Between Switchgear and Switchboard

1) Design and Construction

Switchgear uses withdrawable breakers with solid insulation and metal barriers, allowing individual units to be serviced without affecting the entire system. They typically offer both front and rear access.

Switchboards generally use bolt-on or plug-in molded case circuit breakers (MCCBs), and the internal separation between components is achieved through air gaps. They are more compact and designed primarily for front access.

2) Voltage Rating

Switchgear is suitable for a wide voltage range, including low-voltage (up to 1kV), medium-voltage (up to 38kV), and high-voltage (up to 800kV or more). In contrast, switchboards are typically used for low-voltage applications, usually rated below 600V.

3) Standards and Testing

Switchgear (low-voltage) follows ANSI C37.20.1, NEMA SG-3, and IEC 61439 standards.
Switchboards comply with NEMA PB-2, UL 891, and are tested for shorter interrupting durations with lower power factor levels.

4) Physical Size

Switchboards are more space-efficient and ideal for smaller installations. Switchgear, due to its complex structure and dual-access design, requires more floor space but offers greater flexibility and capacity.

5) Arc Flash Safety

Switchgear is designed to contain and extinguish arc faults using advanced methods like vacuum, gas, oil, or solid insulation. While switchboards are not inherently arc-resistant, some designs incorporate arc-mitigation features.

6) Cost

Switchgear is more expensive due to its robust design, withdrawable components, and higher interrupting capacity. Switchboards are generally a more economical solution, making them ideal for cost-sensitive or small-scale projects.

7) Circuit Breaker Types

Power Circuit Breakers (PCBs): Used in switchgear, support 800–5000A, withdrawable.
Insulated Case Circuit Breakers (ICCBs): Used in both systems, 400–5000A, with replaceable components.
Molded Case Circuit Breakers (MCCBs): Common in switchboards, 15–3000A, fixed or plug-in design.
Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCBs): Used in medium-voltage switchgear, ideal for arc suppression.

8) Protection and Compartmentalization

Switchboards may have grouped or compartmentalized protection devices. In switchgear, circuit breakers are typically housed in separate metal-enclosed compartments for enhanced safety and maintainability.

9) Applications

Switchgear is used in critical infrastructure where reliability is paramount (data centers, hospitals, airports, industrial plants).
Switchboards are widely used in commercial buildings, residential complexes, and smaller facilities.

3. How to Choose Between Switchgear and Switchboard?

Consider the following factors:

Project Size and Complexity: For larger or mission-critical installations, switchgear is the preferred choice. For simpler distribution needs, a switchboard is usually sufficient.
Budget: Switchgear is 2–3 times more expensive than a switchboard, but offers superior performance and flexibility.
Space Constraints: Switchboards take up less space, making them ideal for installations with limited room.

In summary:

Choose switchgear when system integrity, safety, and reliability are top priorities.

Choose switchboards for lower-cost, compact, and simpler power distribution solutions.

4. Conclusion

Switchgear and switchboards both play essential roles in power distribution, but their differences in design, voltage capacity, safety, and cost make them suitable for different scenarios. By understanding these distinctions, facility owners and engineers can make informed decisions and ensure reliable and efficient operation of their electrical systems.

Professiona Switchgear supplier and manufacturer

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