Selection Guide and Deployment Recommendations for Intelligent Monitoring Systems for Switchgear
Date: June 16, 2026, 02:12:02
- Step 1 in Selecting a Model: Define the Monitoring Dimensions— Online monitoring of switchgear primarily covers two aspects: temperature and partial discharge. Temperature monitoring detects contact overheating—the leading cause of switchgear failures; partial discharge monitoring detects insulation degradation—an issue that occurs before temperatures rise. Combining these two approaches covers the most common failure modes in switchgear.
- Deployment Priority: The feeder cabinets and bus tie cabinets are the most critical; since a fault in these would have the widest-reaching impact, they should be prioritized for comprehensive coverage. Since there are many feeder cabinets and the impact of a single failure is minimal, they can be deployed in phases.
- System Integration Capabilities: The monitoring system must integrate with the station’s existing monitoring backend or SCADA system. When selecting a model, verify that the communication protocols supported by the monitoring host are compatible with the existing backend.
1. Correspondence Between Monitoring Dimensions and Failure Modes
| Fault type | Monitoring dimensions | detected signal | Early Warning Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor contact and overheating | temp | The contact temperature continues to rise | High—Temperature rise is a direct indicator |
| Contaminant Discharge on Insulating Surfaces | Partial Discharge (TEV) | Transient ground voltage signals | Medium-High—Partial Discharge Is an Early Warning Sign |
| Insulation Aging in Cable Joints | Temperature + Partial Discharge | Temperature Rise Accompanied by Partial Discharge Signals | High—Two-Dimensional Cross-Validation |
| Loose busbar joint | temp | Increased temperature difference at the joint | High—Temperature difference is a direct indicator |
2. Deployment Strategy
2.1 Phase 1: Full Coverage of Key Cabinets
Feeder Cabinet—The power supply feeder for the entire substation; a fault here would cause a power outage throughout the substation. Bus Tie Cabinet—Connects the various bus sections; a fault here would cause the system to be taken offline. These two types of cabinets should be the first to be equipped with dual-parameter monitoring (temperature and partial discharge) to ensure there are no monitoring blind spots.
2.2 Phase Two: Phased Deployment of Key Feeder Panels
Deploy the second batch of feeder cabinets for critical users and heavy-load feeder cabinets. Temperature monitoring can be implemented first to meet basic requirements, and partial discharge monitoring can be added later based on operational experience and budget availability.
2.3 Phase 3: Expansion to General Feeder Panels
Since feeder cabinets are typically numerous and the impact of a single failure is minimal, they can be deployed selectively. An economical temperature monitoring solution—wireless temperature sensors—is recommended, as they require a low initial investment and are quick to install, making them suitable for large-scale deployment.
3. System Integration and Data Management
The monitoring host communicates with the station’s monitoring backend via RS485 (Modbus RTU protocol) or Ethernet (Modbus TCP). Before selecting a model, verify that the communication parameters of the backend system—such as baud rate, address range, and data format—match those of the monitoring host. For unmanned substations, monitoring data can be transmitted to a remote central control center via a dedicated power grid network or 4G/5G wireless connections.
4. Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
4.1 Q: Can online monitoring be retrofitted to existing switchgear?
Answer: Yes. Both the wireless temperature sensors and the TEV/ultrasonic partial discharge sensors can be installed externally, with installation and commissioning completed during the power outage maintenance window. The retrofit involves minimal work; the main tasks are laying communication cables and configuring the backend system.
4.2 Q: Does every switchgear cabinet need to be equipped with partial discharge monitoring?
A: Not necessarily. For feeder cabinets and bus tie cabinets, we recommend comprehensive coverage of both temperature and partial discharge monitoring. For feeder cabinets, the decision to install partial discharge monitoring can be based on their importance and the budget. Temperature monitoring is a basic requirement, while partial discharge monitoring is an advanced requirement.
4.3 Q: Does the monitoring system require a separate server computer?
Answer: The monitoring host can upload data directly over the network to the station’s existing monitoring backend or SCADA system; a separate computer is not necessarily required. For small stations without an existing backend, the monitoring system can be equipped with a built-in local display panel or a small industrial PC.
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for technical exchanges and reference only, and does not constitute any form of procurement commitment or contract offer. Product technical parameters, configuration programs and prices are subject to the actual signed contracts and technical agreements.
Need a smart monitoring solution for switchgear? Please contact Yinnotongda for configuration recommendations and deployment plans. Service Hotline: 13959168359 (same number on WeChat).
