The integration of industrialization and informatization, development of smart-grids and smart cities, growing focus on energy management and green buildings, is all rapidly transforming the electrical industry. Some of the key industries and infrastructure sectors like telecom, railways, airports, and ports are expanding. Therefore, the increasing prominence and development of smart grids is going to become an enormous part of the switchgear market. With the electrical system being intricate in nature, it is essential to have an intelligent switchgear installed so that it monitor & controls the electrical power system improving electrical efficiency and safety.

 

Smart Switchgears ensuring smart distribution

 

The smart internet of things (IoT) ready switchgear solutions is reality now, which provide real time monitoring, predictive diagnostics, and precise protection against electrical faults. They can seamlessly integrate with building management system, extending supervisory control and other enterprise-level utility systems to control power flow and achieve energy savings. With the increasing integration of renewable energy into grid, smart switchgears are playing an important role in meeting the requirements of high level of energy efficiency and power distribution. It is essential to have intelligent switchgears power system as it facilitates the automatic regulation of incoming and outgoing power, transfer of power during peak load, and opening and closing of switches to maintain power load and preventive maintenance. The adoption of smart switchgears will improve uptime making modern businesses more competitive and limiting intervention cost. With advanced programming of load cycle and efficient energy management, it minimizes energy wastage and improve the efficiency/sustainability. The Indian switchgear industry is dominated by the organized sector and has kept pace with global changes in the industry and utilizes the latest technology in the design and manufacturing process. Some of the leading brands in the Indian market are designing smart switchgears in-house to have a complete quality control, switchgears are designed in the interest to protect the lives and electrical systems, therefore the reputed brands while manufacturing ensure that switchgears are made using engineered materials such as nickel-plated terminal and flame-retardant material, which saves it

from operational degradation and helps it adapt to the adverse/harsh environmental conditions like India. Various endeavours are also being undertaken by the government for the development of smart

grids and smart cities which is rapidly transforming the electrical industry. According to a recent report from Research and Markets, the Indian switchgear industry is poised to reach $3.7 billion by 2022. It outlines that there is a need to develop different kinds of switchgear suitable for smart grid operation and which is connected, compact, reliable, environment friendly and requires minimum installation and commissioning time (Plug and play concept). It is crucial to note that that the smart switchgear is not only smart enough to operate but keeps the power management in sync with everyday operations such as Protection & Monitoring, Control and. Metering. It has a very important connotation in respect to the longevity and seamless integration of the entire power system.