MV Switchgear monitoring & analysis using Panel Health Monitoring System

Traditional maintenance approaches are predominantly time-based rather than conditionbased. Routine maintenance, while crucial, is often time-consuming and labour-intensive.

Insufficient or delayed maintenance leads to undetected wear and tear, resulting in unexpected equipment failures during critical fault conditions. The absence of real-time monitoring prevents operators from identifying and addressing emerging issues promptly, allowing minor problems to escalate into major failures.

To tackle these problems, we developed the Panel Health Monitoring System (PHMS) for real-time monitoring of Medium Voltage (MV) Switchgear. PHMS tracks key breaker components such as interrupters, tripping coils, closing coils, spring charging motors, space heater and cubical temperature and relative humidity.

A major feature is monitoring the interrupter’s I²T rating to track thermal stress and provide early warnings of potential failures, enabling proactive maintenance. By integrating current squared values over operational periods using the formula I²T = ∫i²(t)dt, the system predicts potential thermal failures before they occur. The I²T calculation algorithm samples at 1 kHz, providing accurate thermal energy tracking with accumulated values compared against manufacturer ratings to predict remaining service life.

PHMS also monitors tripping and closing coils, detecting early signs of wear or malfunctions to prevent operational failures. The spring charging motor is monitored to ensure energy readiness for breaker operation using Hall-effect sensors, PHMS gathers real-time data, calculates I²T values, and monitors currents, comparing them to thresholds to detect abnormalities. Alerts are sent via SCADA for timely interventions.

PHMS helps prevent bus shutdowns by detecting mechanical issues early and tracks breaker health to avoid catastrophic failures. It also monitors switchgear compartment temperature and humidity, improving maintenance practices, reducing unscheduled outages, and minimizing breaker failure risks. Integrating with SCADA, PHMS enhances

MV switchgear reliability, extends equipment life, reduces downtime, lowers maintenance costs, and ensures efficient power delivery.