- November 3, 2025
- 8:09 am
How to Specify Safe, ArcResistant MV Switchgear (11/33 kV)
Get rapid, expert assistance from Swastik Electro Metals across the full lifecycle design reviews, protection coordination, FAT, commissioning, documentation, and spares so your MV/LV panels, RMUs, and compact substations run safely and efficiently with minimal downtime.
Key terms buyers search for
- Internal Arc Classification (IAC): e.g., IAC AFLR 25 kA 1 s indicates protection at front, lateral, and rear with a specified fault level and duration.
- Short-time withstand current: commonly 16/25/31.5 kA for 1–3 s depending on utility requirement and busbar design.
- Ingress protection: typical IP4X external, IP2X internal, impacting safety in dusty or humid plants.
- Loss of Service Continuity (LSC): LSC2A/2B categories influence maintainability and uptime.
Specification checklist for consultants and EPCs
- Ratings: 12 kV or 36 kV; busbar STC 25–31.5 kA/1 s; peak withstand 2.5×; temperature rise per IEC.
- IAC requirement: minimum IAC AFL 25 kA 1 s for front and lateral personnel safety; add ‘R’ for rear access rooms.
- Partition class: PM (metal) vs PI (insulating); PM preferred for harsh industrial duty and arc containment.
- Interlocks: mechanical key interlocks for earthing switch, racking, and cable test to prevent mal operation.Loss of Service Continuity (LSC): LSC2A/2B categories influence maintainability and uptime.
- Protection: numerical relays for feeder/transformer with OCR/EF/SEF, breaker failure, synch-check, event logs.
- Type/routine tests: dielectric, temperature rise, short-time/peak withstand, internal arc test evidence, and routine FAT documents.
- Installation environment: altitude, ambient temperature, seismic zone, pollution degree, and IP selection.
11 kV vs 33 kV VCB panel selection
- 11 kV switchgear is common for plant distribution and utility incomers up to 25–31.5 kA; compact footprints suit retrofit rooms.
- 33 kV switchgear is preferred for primary substations, long feeders, and higher fault levels; specify CT accuracy class, VT burden, and protected busbar sections.
Documentation to request with bids
- Single-line diagrams, GA and room layout with clearances, cable entry drawings, heat dissipation, and foundation details.
- Type-test certificates referencing IEC 62271/200 clauses and test labs; FAT checklists, routine test reports, and O&M manuals.
Why Swastik Electro Metals for IEC-compliant MV switchgear
- Engineering for IEC 62271/200 IAC and utility specifications, with coordinated protection, CT/VT sizing, and factory acceptance testing aligned to project scope.
- End-to-end support: design review, protection coordination, FAT/commissioning assistance, and genuine spares for long term reliability.
Looking for 11 kV or 33 kV IEC 62271/200 switchgear with IAC AFLR 25–31.5 kA/1 s, LSC2B PM partitions, and tested VCB panels for Indian utilities and industries? Request engineered drawings, type-test evidence, and a fast quote from Swastik Electro Metals today .