Air insulated switchgear(AIS) adopts the air as the insulation media designed voltage ranging from 11KV to 36KV medium voltage power distribution system. It plays a controlling and protecting role in the power system. The main circuit components of the air insulated switchgear are built in the gas-filled compartment.

GIS high voltage substation engineering uses the gas sulfur hexafluoride for insulation, whereas AIS uses air insulation in a metal-clad system. Sulfur hexafluoride is five times heavier than air and offers excellent extinction behavior. GIS systems use fixed, mounted circuit breakers.

An air-insulated substation (AIS) is one where the main circuit potential is insulated from the ground by air using porcelain or composite insulators and/or bushings. AIS is the most common type of substation, accounting for more than 70% of substations all over the world.

Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) is the name for a unit that houses these components and circuits in a single gas tank with a compact footprint. Grounding devices that prevent electrical shock and lightning arresters that prevent dielectric breakdowns from lightning strikes are also included to enhance safety.

Disadvantages of GIS They often lead to long outage periods. 5. Though the gas is quite inert, flash problems can break it down into harmful by-products such as metal fluoride powders. This poses a health hazard such as physical asphyxiation and other respiratory problems.

What’s the difference between AIS and GIS equipment? AIS uses air as the main insulating medium. AIS is further classified as metal-clad or metal-enclosed. Metal-clad switchgear has extensive barriers, shutters, primary bussing covered with insulation, and uses drawout vacuum circuit breakers to interrupt faults.

The main advantage of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) over AIS or MTS is its compactness which has a direct influence on land requirement, land cost, visual impact, and possible technical applications.

Sulfur hexafluoride
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which is the preferred gas for use in gas-insulated switchgear (circuit breakers, disconnect switches, etc. for high-voltage electrical circuits), has a very high global warming potential, and there is a large international effort to find alternative gases.

Advantages of GIS Substation

• It occupies very less space (1/10th) compared to ordinary substations.
• Most reliable compared to Air Insulated Substations, number of outages due to the fault is less.
• Maintenance Free.
• Can be assembled at the shop and modules can be commissioned in the plant easily.

What is the difference between a main switchboard and distribution boards? This switchboard will provide power feeds to other distribution and sub-distribution boards within your building. A distribution board may be positioned on a floor with a sub-distribution board providing a feed into a server room.

This document divides voltages into five classifications. Medium Voltage (MV) – 2,400 to 69,000 VAC. Low Voltage (LV) – 240 to 600 VAC.

On the switchgear structure, an air insulated switchgear can be divided into: 1 metal-enclosed and spaced switchgear, 2 metal-enclosed armored switchgear,; 3 metal-enclosed box-type switchgear More

The majority of industrial and utility switchgears use air to insulate live conductors electrically, and thus, are called as air insulated switchgears (AIS). Because live conductors are prone to open air, such switchgears experience reliability issues linked with terrestrial animals, birds and weather.

Primary air insulated switchgear is an economical and reliable choice for any electric power distribution. KDM rich expertise in the industry enable us to deliver the optimum solution for the growing technical requirements. MCC air insulated switchgear is designed to perfectly suitable for indoor applications.

Meanwhile, AIS utilizes air insulation within the metal clad system. SF6 is five times bulkier than air. It also provides great extinction behavior. AIS employs 3-position draw out circuit breakers. GIS substations utilize mounted and fixed circuit breakers. The sealed mounted beakers are considered ‘sealed-for-life’ technology.