Cotenele is a large manufacturer and exporter of Medium Voltage Switchgear in China, and is also an important partner of China State Grid Corporation. Our Medium Voltage Switchgear includes metal-clad switchgear, gas-insulated switchgear, and eco-friendly switchgear. These switchgears manufactured by us comply with international standards such as IEC 62271-1, IEC 62271-200, IEC 62271-100, as well as national standards such as GB/T 3906, GB/T 1984, and GB/T 11022. They have been exported to multiple countries and regions in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, and have received widespread praise from customers in these markets.

Medium voltage switchgear is an essential electrical device for control, protection, and isolation of electrical equipment with rated voltage from 3.6 kV to 40.5 kV in power distribution networks.
There are several types based on application, cost, and environmental conditions, including withdrawable (middle mounted) switchgear, fixed switchgear, ring main units (RMUs), gas insulated switchgear, and solid insulated switchgear.
The vacuum circuit breaker of this switchgear is usually installed on a movable handcart, which can be easily moved in and out of the cabinet.
The main advantage is fast maintenance and replacement: a faulty breaker can be swapped with a spare unit within minutes, greatly reducing downtime.
Withdrawable types, such as KYN28 12, also offer flexible configuration and reliable mechanical interlocks. They are widely used in substations, industrial plants, and utility distribution systems where high reliability and easy maintenance are required.
Fixed switchgear keeps all primary components permanently installed inside the panel.
This structure results in lower material and manufacturing cost often 30 to 50 percent less than withdrawable types.
The trade off is longer repair time, since any fault requires de energizing the whole section.
Fixed types (such as XGN2 12) are still widely used in budget limited projects, secondary circuits, or locations where switching operations are infrequent.
An RMU is a compact, factory assembled switchgear mainly used in secondary distribution networks.
Instead of circuit breakers, most RMUs use load break switches combined with fuses for transformer protection.
They are suitable for ring main networks, compact substations, and outdoor cabinet installations due to their small size and lower cost.
The main limitation is that they cannot interrupt high short circuit currents independently and rely on fuses or upstream breakers for fault protection.
Gas insulated switchgear encloses all live parts in a sealed tank filled with insulating gas, typically SF6 or newer eco friendly dry air or fluoronitrile mixtures.
Because gas has much higher dielectric strength than air, GIS equipment can be 50 to 70 percent smaller than air insulated switchgear.
It is fully sealed against moisture, dust, and salt, making it suitable for harsh environments such as coastal areas, underground substations, or offshore platforms.
The disadvantages are higher initial cost and, in SF6 based systems, environmental concerns.
In solid insulated designs, high voltage conductors are embedded in epoxy resin or similar solid materials.
This provides a fully sealed and touch safe structure, eliminating dependence on air gaps or gas pressure.
Solid insulated switchgear is immune to altitude, humidity, and pollution, and is SF6 free, which makes it environmentally friendly.
Although its cost is higher than conventional air insulated switchgear, it offers a good balance of safety, compactness, and sustainability, and is widely used in green buildings and smart grid projects.
By understanding these classifications, engineers can select the most suitable medium voltage switchgear based on budget, reliability, space conditions, and operating environment.
| Switchgear Type | Key Advantages | Main Differences |
| Withdrawable(Middle-Mounted) | -Fast breaker replacement (minutes) -High flexibility and reliable interlocks -Widely used with good availability | -Circuit breaker on a movable carriage -Requires more space for maintenance -Higher cost than fixed type |
| Fixed | -Simple construction -Low cost(30-50%cheaper than withdrawable) -Adequate for infrequent operations | -All components permanently installed -Longer repair downtime -Larger footprint due to separate disconnectors |
| Ring Main Unit(RMU) | -Compact footprint -Low initial cost -Wellsuited for ring networks and transformer protection(with fuses) | -Uses load-break switches,not circuit breakers -Limited short-circuit breaking capacity(relies on fuses or upstream protection) |
| Gas-Insulated(GIS) | -Very smallsize(up to 70%less than air-insulated) -Sealed against moisture,dust,salt -Low maintenance,high reliability | -Live parts in a pressurized gas tank(SF₆or eco-friendly gas) -Higher cost and,for SF₆ environmental concerns |
| Solid-Insulated | -SF₆-free,environmentally friendly -Immune to altitude,humidity, pollution -Touch-safe surface,very compact | -Conductors cast in epoxy resin -Still relatively expensive -Newer technology with fewer manufacturers |

Primary distribution requires high fault capacity and frequent operation. Secondary distribution focuses on compact size and lower cost.
Withdrawable types support fast maintenance. Fixed types require longer downtime during repair.
Air insulated for clean indoor areas. GIS or solid insulated for harsh environments.
Air insulated requires more space. GIS or solid insulated reduces space by 50 to 70 percent.
High fault levels require circuit breaker based systems. Moderate levels can use RMU solutions.
Fixed and RMU types reduce initial cost. Withdrawable, GIS, and solid insulated provide long term value.
SF6 free systems use solid or eco friendly gas insulation. Fully enclosed designs improve public safety.
| Primary Purpose | Recommended switchgear type |
| Fast breaker replacement and high reliability | Withdrawable(middle-mounted) |
| Lowest cost and simple operation | Fixed |
| Compact secondary distribution /ring network | Ring Main Unit(RMU) |
| Harsh environment +tiny footprint | Gas-insulated(GIS) |
| SF₆-free +immunity to allclimates | Solid-insulated |