This discussion is locked.

You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Panelboard vs Switchpanel

Hi all,

As the title, I’m just wondering in the absence of a client spec when you would spec a switchpanel over a panelboard. Looking at the Schneider website they appear to do a panelboard rated up to 1600A @ 50ka breaking capacity

1600A x 400 x 1.732 = 1108 KVA.

Thus making it suitable for the majority of installations requiring a 1MVA tx

My thinking currently is that I’m assuming you would use a switchpanel when:

- Outgoing supply rated above 630A

- A sensitive installation where if works need to be done the whole board doesn’t need to be turned off (form 4 etc)

- Multiple 400A/630A coming off making terminations impractical

- maybe when an ACB is required (but I suppose this could be a separate enclosure)

if I’ve missed anything please share, or if there’s a rule of thumb.

whilst we’re on the topic, is there a rule of thumb for sizing the LV room?

thanks in advance

0 burn over 5 years ago

There is no hard and fast rule as far as I know, but "Panelboard" is usually taken to mean a manufacturer's off the shelf item, whereas a "Switchboard" would be a bespoke item, designed specifically for a particular installation.

regards,
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 Simon87 over 5 years ago

In addition to the practicle reasons you mention, in my mind the main reason you would choose a switchboard over a panel board would be the forms of seperation.

Although I personally see forms of seperation as a bit of a waste of mony, most contractors these days wont open a switchboard unless it has been completely isolated. Other than some very particular use cases (where working on or near live equipment can be justified), what is the benifit in having the various forms of seperation...?
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 Craig McKee over 5 years ago

Going back far enough, Panelboards were generally Form 2 construction and wall mounted. Switchboards were form 4 and floor standing. With changes to the standards (BSEN61439) things were muddied slightly with the option of calling an MCCB with terminal covers form 4 separation and the drive to reduce assembly sizes

It's really down to expectations of the client, clearly a form 4 panelboard will be cheaper than a 'traditional' form 4 switchboard. But installation, future maintenance, upgrades etc are likely to be more challenging.

The main point ot ensure is that the assembly fully meets all of the requirements of 61439-2, not just a few random clauses.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel
0 Craig McKee over 5 years ago

I missed the previous comment about advantages of Form of separation.

The main advantage is that during a fault the damage should be contained within the device compartment, making correction far easier. A device tripping under fault conditions in a panelboard commonly creates secondary faults or at least a lot of conductive carbon around the other devices and the corrective work is much more challenging.

Traditional form 4 boards are generally much larger than panelboards and therefore tend to be more capable of running at full load, this is one of the area why I mentioned full compliance is a must. Potentially a temperature rise calculation could be done, with some derating of devices, but this is commonly done incorrectly, so needs to be reviewed by someone who understands the requirements of the standard.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Panelboard vs Switchpanel

Community Rules & Guidelines