What is the main difference between switchgear and a switchboard?

The main difference is voltage level and protection capability. Switchgear operates at medium voltage (1 kV to 52 kV) and above, contains circuit breakers capable of interrupting high fault currents (20-50 kA), and is designed with safety features like compartmentalization and internal arc resistance. A switchboard operates at low voltage (below 1 kV), uses molded-case or miniature circuit breakers, and distributes power to branch circuits within a building or facility.

Can switchgear and switchboards be used together?

Yes, they are commonly used together in a complete power distribution system. A typical arrangement is: utility power enters through medium-voltage switchgear (12 kV or 24 kV), passes through a transformer to step down to 400/690 V, and then feeds into a low-voltage switchboard that distributes power to individual loads. The switchgear protects the transformer and upstream network, while the switchboard protects downstream branch circuits.

Is a panelboard the same as a switchboard?

No. A panelboard (or distribution panel) is a smaller, simpler device typically rated up to 400-600 A, mounted on or in a wall, and used for final distribution to branch circuits (lighting, outlets). A switchboard is a floor-standing assembly rated up to 4000-6300 A, used as the main distribution point in a building. Both operate at low voltage, but switchboards handle much higher currents and have more sophisticated metering and protection.

What voltage is considered switchgear vs switchboard?

Generally, equipment operating above 1 kV (1,000 volts) is classified as switchgear, while equipment at or below 1 kV is classified as switchboard or low-voltage switchgear. Common switchgear voltages are 3.3 kV, 6.6 kV, 11 kV, 12 kV, 24 kV, 33 kV, and 36 kV. Common switchboard voltages are 230 V, 400 V, 480 V, and 690 V. Note that the term "low-voltage switchgear" (below 1 kV) exists as a hybrid category that uses switchgear-grade protection at low voltage.

Do I need switchgear or a switchboard for my project?

If your facility receives power at medium voltage (typically above 1 kV from the utility) and you have your own transformer, you need switchgear on the medium-voltage side and a switchboard on the low-voltage side. If your facility receives power directly at low voltage (230/400 V from a utility transformer outside your property), you typically only need a switchboard. Industrial facilities, data centers, hospitals, and large commercial buildings almost always require both.

Switchgear vs Switchboard: What's the Difference? (Engineer's Guide)

Quick Answer: Switchgear vs Switchboard

Switchgear operates at medium and high voltage (above 1 kV), contains circuit breakers that can interrupt massive fault currents, and is built with heavy-duty safety features. A switchboard operates at low voltage (below 1 kV) and distributes power to branch circuits within a building. They serve different roles in the power system hierarchy and are typically used together — switchgear upstream of the transformer, switchboard downstream.

What Is Switchgear?

Switchgear is a general term for electrical equipment used to control, protect, and isolate sections of a power system. In practice, the term most often refers to medium-voltage (MV) and high-voltage (HV) assemblies containing circuit breakers, disconnectors, current transformers, protection relays, and bus bars — all housed within robust metal enclosures.

Key characteristics of switchgear:

Voltage range: 1 kV to 800+ kV (medium voltage: 1-52 kV; high voltage: above 52 kV)
Circuit breakers: Vacuum or SF6 breakers rated for 20-50+ kA fault interruption
Safety features: Compartmentalization, internal arc resistance, automatic shutters, interlocking
Size: Large, floor-standing equipment requiring dedicated electrical rooms
Standards: IEC 62271-200 (MV), IEC 62271-203 (GIS), GB 3906
Function: Protects transformers, generators, feeders, and major distribution circuits

Switchgear is manufactured in several forms:

Air-Insulated Switchgear (AIS): Uses air for insulation, larger but simpler
Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS): Uses SF6 or nitrogen gas, extremely compact
Metal-Enclosed Switchgear: Metal housing with various compartmentalization levels

What Is a Switchboard?

A switchboard is a low-voltage power distribution assembly that receives power from a transformer secondary (or utility low-voltage supply) and distributes it to multiple branch circuits through individual protective devices.

Key characteristics of switchboards:

Voltage range: 230 V to 690 V AC (below 1 kV)
Protective devices: Air circuit breakers (ACB), molded-case circuit breakers (MCCB), fuses
Rated current: Typically 1000 A to 6300 A main bus
Size: Floor-standing panels, typically 2-2.5 m height
Standards: IEC 61439, GB 7251
Function: Distributes power to motors, lighting panels, HVAC, and other loads

NAIJI Electric offers both GCS draw-out switchgear (up to 4000 A) and GGD fixed switchgear (up to 3150 A) for low-voltage distribution applications, along with the EZMX1 air circuit breaker (up to 6300 A) for main incoming protection.

Switchgear vs Switchboard: Side-by-Side Comparison

Parameter	Switchgear (MV/HV)	Switchboard (LV)
Voltage	1 kV - 800+ kV	230 V - 690 V
Primary Function	Protect transformers, generators, feeders	Distribute power to branch circuits
Circuit Breaker Type	Vacuum or SF6 (high interrupting capacity)	ACB or MCCB
Fault Interrupting Capacity	20 - 50+ kA	10 - 100+ kA (ACB/MCCB rated)
Bus Rating	630 A - 5000 A	1000 A - 6300 A
Compartmentalization	Fully compartmentalized with barriers	Partially or not compartmentalized
Internal Arc Protection	IAC rated (50 kA/1s typical)	Usually not arc-rated
Insulation	Air, SF6, or vacuum	Air
Position in System	Upstream (utility side of transformer)	Downstream (load side of transformer)
Standards	IEC 62271-200, GB 3906	IEC 61439, GB 7251
Cost	Higher (specialized equipment)	Lower (commodity components)
Maintenance	Specialized technicians required	Standard electricians can service

Where Each Fits in the Power System

A complete industrial or commercial power distribution system typically follows this hierarchy:

Utility supply at high voltage (33 kV, 66 kV, or 110 kV)
High-voltage switchgear at the point of supply (if applicable)
Step-down transformer (HV to MV, e.g. 33 kV to 11 kV)
Medium-voltage switchgear (11 kV or 12 kV) — distributes to multiple transformers
Distribution transformer (MV to LV, e.g. 11 kV to 400 V)
Low-voltage switchboard (400 V) — distributes to branch circuits
Panelboards / distribution panels — final distribution to loads

In smaller facilities that receive power directly at low voltage from a utility transformer, steps 1-4 are handled by the utility and only the switchboard (step 6) and panelboards (step 7) are needed on the customer side.

When You Need Switchgear

Your facility receives power at medium voltage (above 1 kV) from the utility
You have on-site transformers that need upstream protection
Your facility has large motors (above 300 kW) that run at medium voltage
You need to distribute power to multiple buildings or zones at medium voltage
The fault level at your point of supply exceeds what LV equipment can handle
Code or utility requirements mandate medium-voltage metering and protection

Typical facilities: factories, power plants, mines, data centers (>5 MW), hospitals, large commercial complexes, substations, renewable energy plants.

When You Need a Switchboard

Your facility receives power at low voltage (400/480/690 V) from a utility transformer
You need to distribute power to many branch circuits (motors, lighting, HVAC)
Total load current exceeds what a simple panelboard can handle (above 400 A)
You need centralized metering and monitoring of multiple circuits
Motor control centers (MCCs) are required for multiple motor starters

Typical facilities: office buildings, retail centers, small to medium factories, schools, residential complexes.

The Middle Ground: Low-Voltage Switchgear

There is an important category that bridges switchgear and switchboards: low-voltage switchgear. These are assemblies that operate below 1 kV but are built to switchgear-grade standards with compartmentalization, draw-out breakers, and high fault ratings (up to 100+ kA). They are used when the low-voltage system demands the safety and flexibility features of switchgear.

NAIJI Electric's GCS series is a draw-out type low-voltage switchgear rated at 4000 A / 50 kA, suitable for industrial power distribution and motor control centers. The GGD series offers a cost-effective fixed-type alternative at 3150 A / 30 kA for commercial and municipal applications.

NAIJI Electric: Complete MV and LV Solutions

NAIJI Electric provides a complete range covering both sides of the power system:

Medium-Voltage Switchgear

ASN3-12 — 12 kV, up to 5000 A / 50 kA, internal arc 50 kA/1s
ASN2-24 — 24 kV, up to 4000 A / 40 kA
ASN1-40.5(G) — 40.5 kV, up to 3150 A / 40 kA
GSN3-12 / GSN1-40.5L — Gas-insulated compact switchgear

Low-Voltage Switchgear & Switchboards

GCS — Draw-out type, 4000 A main bus, for MCC and power distribution
GGD — Fixed type, 3150 A, cost-effective distribution
EZMX1 ACB — Up to 6300 A, one of the world's most compact ACBs
EZM1 MCCB — 16-630 A, distribution and motor protection

Need help selecting the right combination of MV switchgear and LV switchboards for your power distribution project? Contact the NAIJI Electric engineering team for a system design consultation.