Switchgear is an essential part of protecting both low- and high-voltage electrical systems from faulty and hazardous conditions. Without effective and reliable switchgear, electrical failures are more common and more dangerous.
Electrical switchgear is important for several key reasons:
- Improves
reliability of electrical systems - Properly
functioning switchgear isolates faulty sections of the circuit, allowing
power to flow uninterrupted.
- Enables
a quicker response - Automated switchgear, like a
relay and circuit breaker, will react quickly to a power surge or other
type of electrical fault. Switchgear helps address the initial issue more
quickly and safely than human intervention.
- Offers physical, on-site control - Switchgear also enables on-site control by engineers, technicians, and Field Evaluation Body (FEB) personnel. This allows qualified individuals to turn off a certain system during maintenance or upgrades, or direct power away from larger issues in the circuit.
However, simply having switchgear in place is not enough.
The switchgear must be up-to-date with all applicable industry standards and
laws to ensure safety and continuous operation. Here are three reasons that
testing switchgear is a necessary, and even helpful, undertaking.
Testing ensures the equipment and facility are in compliance with applicable regulations
First and foremost, testing electrical switchgear is required to comply with electrical safety standards in all major consumer markets. Switchgear is an essential component of keeping offices, schools, businesses, residential complexes, and public spaces safe from dangerous electrical faults; as such, they are on the mandatory certification list in almost all regulatory schemes.
In order for electrical switchgear to be compliant with applicable regulations, it must have an active certification from an approved regulatory body, a report from a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), or a successful field evaluation that is approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). If a new building is constructed and it includes electrical switchgear, for example, it must meet one of those requirements.
However, this is not only applicable for new construction. After
retrofitting, expanding, or replacing switchgear (even partially, like
replacing a segment), the switchgear must be deemed compliant in its new form
and usage. For example, the original switchgear is UL Listed, but adding a tap
invalidates the original listing. In these cases, a Field
Evaluation may be the fastest and
most cost-effective means of demonstrating and documenting the conformity of
the switchgear to relevant standards—without going through the longer
certification process for this one-off situation.
Testing provides useful baselines for long-term maintenance
Electrical systems are powerful, complex, and quite costly to replace. A cohesive, long-term plan for compliance, upgrades, and maintenance—often referred to as system lifecycle management or asset management—can save significant time and money down the road.
When the switchgear is tested, either at a testing laboratory or
on-site by a qualified field evaluator, the ensuing report will provide a
wealth of information and reference material. The report will list all of the
relevant information about specific components, which is helpful when it’s time
to upgrade, repair, or replace. It will also include all the details of the
equipment’s performance, which helps form a realistic average and benchmarks
for performance—all of which is important to a long-term monitoring and
maintenance plan.
Contact G&M Compliance for a Field Evaluation Today
G&M Compliance has a team of seasoned experts with deep knowledge of electrical safety specifications and how they need to be applied to onsite switchgear. We respond quickly to field evaluation and labeling requests, and we can help you determine if a field evaluation is the right fit for your equipment and situation.
Contact
G&M Compliance to learn more about a field
evaluation for your switchgear, or request a quote today!