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Key Points and Precautions for Purchasing Draw-out Switchgear

source:Zhejiang CHBEST Power Technology Co., Ltd. Addtime:2026-02-25 Views:
Draw-out switchgear is a critical piece of equipment in power distribution systems, widely used in industrial, commercial, and infrastructure sectors. Its core advantage lies in the modular, withdrawable design of functional units, enabling fast maintenance, replacement, and system expansion without powering down the entire system. Purchasing draw-out switchgear requires a comprehensive assessment of technical parameters, structural design, component quality, application scenarios, and after-sales support. This document systematically summarizes the key purchasing points and precautions to help buyers make scientific and reliable selections.

1. Clarify Basic Application Requirements

1.1 Determine Voltage and Current Levels

The rated voltage of draw-out switchgear must match the actual operating voltage of the power distribution system. Common low-voltage levels include 220V, 380V, and 660V, while high-voltage models cover 3kV, 6kV, 10kV, 35kV, etc. The rated current of the main busbar and functional units should be calculated based on total system load and branch circuit requirements. Standard busbar current ratings are 630A, 800A, 1000A, 1250A, 1600A, 2000A, 2500A, 3150A, 4000A, and 5000A. Undersized current ratings lead to overheating and safety hazards, while oversized ratings increase costs unnecessarily.

1.2 Confirm Short-circuit Withstand Capability

Short-circuit breaking capacity and short-time withstand current are core safety indicators. The rated short-circuit breaking capacity must be greater than the maximum short-circuit current at the installation location, calculated according to system impedance and transformer capacity. The short-time withstand current (typically 1s or 3s) and peak withstand current must meet national standards (GB 3906, IEC 60420) to ensure the switchgear can safely withstand short-circuit shocks without deformation or damage.

1.3 Match On-site Environmental Conditions

  • Temperature: Ambient temperature should generally range from -5°C to +40°C, with an average daily temperature not exceeding +35°C. For high-temperature environments (e.g., steel mills, chemical plants), select models with enhanced heat dissipation; for low-temperature or cold regions, consider anti-freeze and low-temperature-resistant designs.

  • Humidity: Relative humidity should not exceed 50% at +40°C; at lower temperatures, higher humidity (e.g., 90% at +20°C) is allowed, but anti-condensation measures must be in place.

  • Altitude: Standard products are suitable for altitudes ≤ 2000m. For higher altitudes, derate insulation and heat dissipation performance.

  • Pollution Level: Most industrial scenarios correspond to Pollution Level 3. For harsh environments (dust, corrosion, salt spray), choose higher protection levels and corrosion-resistant materials.

  • Explosion-proof Requirements: In flammable and explosive areas (petrochemical, coal mines), select explosion-proof draw-out switchgear that complies with national explosion-proof standards.

2. Evaluate Core Technical Parameters

2.1 Protection Grade (IP Rating)

The IP rating determines the switchgear’s ability to resist dust and water intrusion. Common ratings are IP30, IP40, IP54, and IP65.
  • IP30: Prevents entry of objects > 2.5mm; suitable for clean indoor environments (control rooms, office buildings).

  • IP40: Prevents entry of objects > 1.0mm; for general industrial workshops.

  • IP54: Dust-protected and splash-proof; for outdoor or dusty, humid environments.

  • IP65: Dust-tight and jet-proof; for harsh outdoor or corrosive environments.

2.2 Interlock and Safety Functions

Draw-out switchgear must have reliable mechanical and electrical interlocks to enforce the “five-prevention” (anti-misoperation) functions:
  1. Prevent closing the circuit breaker when the draw-out unit is not in the working position.

  2. Prevent drawing out the unit when the circuit breaker is closed.

  3. Prevent accidental closing of the grounding switch.

  4. Prevent live grounding of the equipment.

  5. Prevent entry into the charged compartment.

    Interlocks must be mechanical priority, supplemented by electrical interlocks, with no failure points and easy manual operation.

2.3 Draw-out Unit Performance

  • Three-position function: The unit must have clear working, test, and isolated positions with reliable positioning and obvious position indicators.

  • Interchangeability: Units of the same type and specification must be fully interchangeable, with consistent dimensions and interfaces to facilitate quick replacement.

  • Mechanical strength: The draw-out mechanism must withstand repeated operations (≥ 500 times) without jamming or deformation.

  • Secondary connection: Use high-quality aviation plugs or multi-core connectors with reliable contact, anti-vibration, and anti-loosening features.

2.4 Busbar System Design

  • Material and cross-section: Main busbars and branch busbars should use high-conductivity T2 copper bars with sufficient cross-sectional area to meet current-carrying and temperature-rise requirements中国政府采购网.

  • Connection process: Busbar connections use silver-plated or tin-plated surfaces, tightened with high-strength bolts, and equipped with spring washers to prevent loosening.

  • Insulation treatment: Busbars should be covered with heat-shrinkable insulation sleeves or coated with insulating paint to enhance insulation performance and safety中国政府采购网.

  • Heat dissipation: Reasonable busbar arrangement and internal ventilation design to control temperature rise within standard limits (≤ 60K for copper bars).

2.5 Component Quality and Configuration

Core components (circuit breakers, contactors, relays, meters, sensors) directly affect reliability.
  • Brand selection: Prefer well-known brands (Siemens, ABB, Schneider, Chint, Delixi) with stable quality and complete certifications.

  • Certification verification: All components must have 3C certification (China) or international certifications (CE, UL)无锡市政府.

  • Parameter matching: Component rated voltage, current, and breaking capacity must match the system design.

  • Redundancy design: For critical loads, consider dual-power or redundant component configurations.

3. Inspect Structural Design and Manufacturing Process

3.1 Cabinet Material and Strength

  • Material: The cabinet should use high-quality steel plates (≥ 2mm thickness) or aluminum alloy. For corrosive environments, select galvanized, aluminized zinc-coated, or stainless steel plates.

  • Welding and assembly: Welds should be smooth, crack-free, and well-treated for rust prevention. The cabinet must have high rigidity, no deformation under full load or short-circuit conditions.

  • Surface treatment: Adopt electrostatic spraying or plastic coating with uniform color, strong adhesion, and corrosion resistance.

3.2 Compartment Design

The cabinet should be divided into independent compartments (busbar chamber, functional unit chamber, cable chamber, secondary control chamber) to prevent fault spread and facilitate maintenance. Compartment partitions should use flame-retardant, high-insulation materials.

3.3 Internal Wiring and Layout

  • Primary and secondary separation: Power cables and control cables must be routed separately to avoid electromagnetic interference中国政府采购网.

  • Wire specifications: Secondary circuits use copper core wires (≥ 2.5mm² for current circuits, ≥ 1.5mm² for voltage circuits) with clear identification and standard color coding中国政府采购网.

  • Termination: Use crimped terminals with reliable crimping and no loose connections. Moving parts use flexible stranded wires with sufficient slack中国政府采购网.

3.4 Heat Dissipation and Ventilation

Reasonable ventilation openings or cooling fans should be configured to discharge heat generated by components and busbars, preventing overheating. Temperature-rise tests must comply with national standards.

4. Verify Manufacturer Qualifications and Product Certifications

4.1 Manufacturer Strength

  • Select manufacturers with professional design, production, and testing capabilities, advanced equipment, and a complete quality management system (ISO 9001).

  • Review project cases and user feedback to assess on-site application performance.

  • Prefer manufacturers with independent R&D and after-sales service teams.

4.2 Product Certifications and Test Reports

  • Must have a complete 3C certification (for low-voltage products) and type test report issued by a national authoritative laboratory无锡市政府.

  • Verify the validity of certifications and consistency between the actual product and test samples.

  • Check for compliance with GB 3906, IEC 60420, and other relevant standards.

4.3 Technical Documents

Require complete documents: operation manual, maintenance manual, wiring diagram, component catalog, test report, certification, etc.

5. Consider Customization and Scalability

5.1 Customization Design

  • Size customization: Adjust cabinet dimensions (width, depth, height) to fit on-site installation space.

  • Unit configuration: Customize the number and type of draw-out units (feeder, motor control, capacitor compensation, metering) according to load requirements.

  • Inlet/outlet mode: Choose top-in top-out, bottom-in bottom-out, or side-in side-out based on cable layout.

5.2 System Scalability

Reserve spare positions and interfaces for future capacity expansion. The busbar system should support parallel or extended connection of multiple cabinets.

5.3 Intelligent Upgrade Space

Select models with reserved communication interfaces (RS485, Ethernet, Modbus, Profibus) to support access to intelligent monitoring systems, remote control, and fault diagnosis.

6. Evaluate After-sales Service and Maintenance Convenience

6.1 After-sales Service System

  • Confirm the manufacturer’s service scope, response time, on-site maintenance capabilities, and spare parts supply cycle.

  • Prefer manufacturers that provide installation guidance, commissioning, training, and regular maintenance.

6.2 Maintenance Convenience

  • Draw-out units should be easy to remove and install without special tools.

  • Components should be easily accessible for replacement and adjustment.

  • Clear fault indication and diagnosis functions to speed up troubleshooting.

6.3 Service Life and Cost-effectiveness

  • Assess design life (typically 20–30 years) and long-term operating costs (energy consumption, maintenance frequency).

  • Balance initial investment with long-term reliability; avoid choosing low-quality products solely for low prices无锡市政府.

7. Key Precautions During Purchase

  1. Avoid parameter mismatches: Do not purchase products with voltage, current, or breaking capacity lower than system requirements.

  2. Prevent counterfeit components: Verify component authenticity and avoid using uncertified or inferior parts无锡市政府.

  3. Check interlock reliability: On-site test mechanical and electrical interlocks to ensure correct action sequence.

  4. Confirm interchangeability: Test interchangeability of same-type units to ensure consistency.

  5. On-site acceptance: Conduct appearance inspection, parameter verification, and functional testing before installation.

  6. Sign complete contracts: Clarify technical parameters, configuration, delivery time, acceptance criteria, after-sales terms, and liability for breach of contract.

  7. Reserve spare parts: Purchase common spare parts (circuit breakers, contacts, connectors) for emergency replacement.

Conclusion

Purchasing draw-out switchgear is a systematic project requiring comprehensive consideration of technical performance, application environment, quality reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Buyers should start with actual demand, strictly control technical parameters, component quality, and manufacturing processes, verify manufacturer qualifications, and attach importance to after-sales service. A scientifically selected draw-out switchgear can ensure safe, stable, and efficient operation of the power distribution system, reduce failure rates, and lower maintenance costs. In the purchasing process, it is advisable to consult professional electrical engineers or third-party testing agencies to avoid losses caused by improper selection.