How the Environment Around You Affects Medium Voltage Equipment

Electrical distribution services are part and parcel of any infrastructural setup. It’s practically impossible to manage any sort of infrastructure without such services.

Now, having these electrical distribution services is one thing. The other thing is that you also need the equipment to last long. Sustainability is the need of the hour. After all, we are looking to minimize the total cost of ownership.

So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that switchgear designers, engineers, and manufacturers are looking for new ways to offer protection to electrical equipment from various environmental “threats”.
One particular type of equipment that’s gaining attention with regard to this is medium voltage equipment.

In this blog, will be looking at some of the environmental conditions that have an impact on medium voltage equipment, as well as the solutions to protect this kind of equipment from said conditions.

But, before that, let’s get a better look at electric switchgear.

A Basic Look

Electric switchgear is manufactured using a range of materials. This could include un-coated steel or coated steel, aluminum, copper, epoxies, and insulating plastics etc.

Now, all these materials are known to undergo physical changes when exposed to alterations in temperature and various other elements.

Of course, most of the electrical equipment we use is designed to function under standard conditions. But that doesn’t mean changes in the atmosphere or environment will not have an impact on their ability to perform or their reliability. For instance, too much moisture in the air can lead to the corrosion of the metals used in switchgear.

What are Standard or Normal Conditions?

According to IEC 62271-1, standard or normal service conditions can be defined as those conditions that we experience on a regular basis. For example, a temperature range that is normal to the environment on a daily basis.

Now, if the temperature were to fall below or cross the standard range, it can have a drastic impact on the materials used to construct medium voltage equipment. This leads to deterioration and eventually, failure.

Let us understand what kind of problem each type of environmental change can cause.

Excessive Heat

According to switchgear standards, the maximum operating temperature for medium voltage equipment is 35-degree Celsius.

Crossing this set limit will cause the equipment to age prematurely and reduce reliability.
This normally occurs with switchgear installations that are inside a building, especially when the building is not insulated (exposed to sunlight or improperly ventilated).

So, the solution is to carry out a proper installation within an area that is insulated well. This can have a significant positive impact on the reliability and functionality of the switchgear.

Increased Humidity

Typically, switchgear can withstand humidity levels of up to 95% and a vapor pressure of 8 to 2.2kPa. Now, when the humidity levels go up, the change often leads to condensation.

Condensation leads to increased moisture, which, in turn, causes corrosion. So, the solution is to provide optimal ventilation, de-humidification, heating, and proper cable penetration etc.

As you can see, careful consideration must be made when man installing medium voltage equipment/switchgear. This can go a long way in keeping things sustainable.