Switchgear vs. Switchboard: Understanding Key Differences & Applications

Knowing the difference between switchboards and switchgear can be challenging. They both are electrical distribution and protection equipment. Even the terminology used to describe them is similar. You need to know which is right for your application to mitigate faults, protect against arc flash events and meet code without overbuying.

When to Use a Switchboard vs Switchgear

Both switchboards and switchgear provide power distribution and protection. When is it better to use one rather than the other?

What Is a Switchboard?

A switchboard is a large panel or an assembly of panels on a frame. It holds switches, busbars and overcurrent protection devices, such as circuit breakers or fuses. Its job is to divide incoming electrical power into smaller circuits that route power to various loads within a building, including lighting, appliances or machinery.

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Each outgoing circuit is protected by its own fuse or circuit breaker located within the switchboard. If one draws too much current, the dedicated breaker will trip, cutting off power. The rest will remain powered, ensuring business continuity while protecting equipment. This feature makes switchboards ideal for low-voltage residential and commercial applications.

What Is Switchgear?

Switchgear is an assembly of switches, fuses and circuit breakers, which are circuit protection components. They function to protect and control electrical equipment by managing and regulating power systems within the enclosure. Since they are designed for high-demand systems, they are better for industrial facilities, power plants or critical infrastructure. 

It works by controlling the flow of electrical power, isolating specific components. Protective relays within the switchgear continuously monitor the current. If an electrical fault occurs, such as a short circuit or an overload, they interrupt the power by signaling the circuit breaker to open. This physically disconnects the circuit, stopping the flow of electricity.

Differences Between Switchboards and Switchgear

What switchboards are primarily used for varies, but low-voltage power distribution within residential or commercial environments is common. Switchgear is more often built for high-demand systems that require arc-flash protection. Since the latter is designed to handle higher voltages, it tends to be better engineered and more reliable than its counterpart.

Since switchgear is designed for harsher environments, it typically comes with built-in safety features. Monitoring systems, sophisticated relays and fault detection systems enable it to respond instantly during faults, minimizing equipment damage and unplanned downtime. Switchboards do not have such features. Instead, they rely on basic circuit breakers and fuses.

When you compare a switchboard and switchgear closely, their differences become apparent. For one, they are tested to different UL standards. Switchboards must meet UL 891, while switchgear must meet UL 1558.

Their maximum voltage and continuous ratings also differ. Switchboards can handle up to 600 volts (V) and are rated up to 6,000 amps (A). Their short-circuit time rating is typically three cycles. Switchgear can handle up to 1,000 V and is rated up to 10,000 A. Its short circuit time rating is 30 to 60 cycles.

What to Consider When Looking for Equipment Providers

Once you know what switchgear and switchboards are, you can look for products that meet your electrical distribution and protection needs. Providers’ offerings, expertise and standards vary, so you should carefully compare them to find the best fit.

Choose a company with a positive industry reputation and extensive experience. Review customer references, testimonials, reviews and case studies for projects similar to yours to get an idea of their capabilities. If you want a custom-manufactured solution, verify their ability to provide engineered-to-order products.

Technical compliance and quality are key. The manufacturer’s engineers should assist with design, specifications and technical questions. Ensure their products meet all relevant industry standards. Their quality control, testing and commissioning procedures should be thorough and well-documented.

Even if you have in-house technicians, warranties, remote support and 24/7 remote monitoring are beneficial, as they lighten your workload and help you respond to faults fast. Evaluate their equipment warranty terms, customer service hours, spare parts inventory and availability of field service technicians.

Before settling on a provider, confirm their quoted lead times align with your project schedule. Then, review their on-time delivery rate to ensure their estimate aligns with their capabilities. Remember, turnkey products typically arrive faster than custom-configured assemblies.

The Top 5 Providers of Switchgear and Switchboards

These five leading switchgear and switchboard providers check every box, meeting high expertise, quality, reputation and support standards.

1.   Sunbelt Solomon

As a full-service provider, Sunbelt Solomon buys, sells and rents switchgear of all types, including disconnects and breakers. Its extensive inventory contains both new and refurbished equipment available at high and low voltages to help meet your budget and lead-time needs.

This company offers customizable and flexible rental options for power equipment. It also handles in-house maintenance plans for electrical distribution equipment. The service centers are equipped to recondition switchgear to like-new condition, extending system life. Also, expert technicians can provide field service.

Key features:

• Specializes in low, medium and high voltage power distribution equipment
• Provides a range of in-house services to ensure the safety and integrity of equipment
• Offers the industry's fastest lead times for product delivery

2. Myers Power Products

Founded in 1950, Myers Power Products can design, build, test and install power distribution equipment to your specifications. It carries a wide variety of parts and systems, from indoor switchgear assemblies to low-voltage switchboards. Its products can be integrated with parts from third-party manufacturers, providing you with the most customizable solutions possible.

Its expertise enables it to offer monitoring systems, power circuit breakers and metering from all major manufacturers, greatly expanding distribution and control configurations. You can choose from turnkey or engineered-to-order solutions. They will be made or assembled in the United States, as the company has nearly 1 million square feet of manufacturing space across five states.

Key features:

• Maintains its own UL files, providing peace of mind
• Supplies arc-resistant switchgear to protect against destructive arc-flash incidents
• Provides testing and maintenance service for end-to-end support

3. ABB Electrification

Electrical distribution equipment manufacturer ABB Electrification employs certified service engineers. It can install and test the systems it designs and builds. Its commissioning service includes on-site testing and electronics settings. A 12-month extension to the standard factory warranty is included with the startup and commissioning package.

The company has a broad portfolio of protection, distribution and control equipment. Its offerings include both low and medium voltage equipment, spanning group-mounted, metering, generator connection and individually mounted switchboards. Its switchgear line provides solutions for arc-flash protection.

Key features:

• Supplies fuses, electrical disconnect switches and circuit breakers
• Covers power distribution protection, monitoring, control and diagnostic needs
• Offers an extended 12-month warranty with its startup and commissioning package

4. Schneider Electric

The history of Schneider Electric began almost two centuries ago in 1836. The company built France’s first steam locomotives, saw the opening of France’s first electrical equipment factory and was there when the compact circuit breaker was invented.

Its decades of design and manufacturing expertise allowed it to build a large portfolio of low-voltage switchboards, including metal-enclosed and arc-resistant options. They are UL-891-rated to meet industry applications. It also supplies circuit breakers, motor control centers, panelboards and switchgear equipment.

Key features:

• Remotely monitors and maintains systems 24/7 for safe, efficient operation
• Reduces electrical failures by 75% and downtime costs by 40% with EcoCare service
• Custom-configures systems to meet complex prime and emergency power needs

5. Spike Electric Controls

Electrical equipment supplier Spike Electric Controls offers low-voltage products up to 690V and medium-voltage assemblies up to 38kV. Its custom-engineered power solutions are fabricated in-house, giving it complete control over product output and distribution. As a result, it has a 99% on-time delivery record.

As a globally certified hazardous location manufacturer, it meets stringent standards to ensure safe operation in environments with flammable and explosive gases, vapors, fibers or combustible dust. It takes safety seriously, as demonstrated by its more than 1 million safe work hours.

Key features:

• Provides 24/7 emergency service
• Specializes in reverse engineering obsolete parts for retrofits and upgrades
• Has a 99% customer satisfaction rating

Comparing Top Providers

Are you still stuck deciding between switchboard vs switchgear manufacturers? Narrow your selection by comparing their locations, expertise and voltage options. Their proximity to you may affect their ability to provide field service, while their experience influences their technical knowledge and support capabilities.

Equipment ProviderHeadquartersYear FoundedVoltage OptionsSunbelt SolomonTemple, Texas1971Low, medium and high voltageMyers Power ProductsOntario, California1950Low and medium voltageABB ElectrificationZurich, Switzerland1988Low and medium voltageSchneider ElectricRueil-Malmaison, France1836Low and medium voltageSpike Electric ControlsPasadena, Texas2013Low and medium voltage

Which Electrical Equipment Provider Is Right for You?

A basic understanding of voltage class, automation features, interruption capability and short-circuit ratings will help you decide between switchboard vs switchgear. Once you make that decision, you must choose between leading electrical equipment providers. Carefully compare their offerings and features to find the best fit.